Mass defect of an atom refers to:
Correct answer: B. Mass is annihilated to produce energy to bind the nucleus.
- A. Inaccurate measurement of mass of nucleons
- B. Mass is annihilated to produce energy to bind the nucleus.
- C. Packing fraction
- D. Difference in the number of neutrons and protons in the nucleus
Explanation
The mass defect is a measure of the energy released when a nucleus is formed, and it is related to the binding energy that holds the nucleus together. "Mass annihilated to produce energy to bind the nucleus" is a concise way to describe the process. When nucleons come together to form a nucleus, a small amount of mass is lost and converted into energy, and this released energy is responsible for binding the nucleus.
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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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