In free states, the mass of the nucleus is always:
Correct answer: C. Less than the mass of its constituents
- A. Greater than the mass of its constituents
- B. Equal to the mass of its constituents
- C. Less than the mass of its constituents
- D. Far greater than the mass of its constituents
Explanation
As mentioned earlier, the mass of the nucleus is slightly less than the sum of the masses of its individual constituents. This mass difference is known as the mass defect, which represents the mass converted into binding energy during the nuclear formation. The binding energy is the energy that holds the nucleus together and is released when nucleons (protons and neutrons) come closer and form a stable nucleus. Hence, option (c) is correct.
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Atomic nuclei contain protons and neutrons, with nuclear size, mass defect and binding energy describing their stability. The work covers alpha, beta and gamma decay, decay equations, half-life and decay rate, along with radiation safety and medical applications such as imaging, radiotherapy and tracers.
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