A nuclear chemist measures the mass defect of nickel-56 and finds it to be 0.4667 amu. Based on this number, (a) calculate the nuclear binding energy in units of joule and (b) calculate the binding energy per nucleon in units of joule. Show the complete processes and bold the final answers.

See explanation

Explanation:

Number of protons = 28

Number of neutrons = 28

Mass of each proton = 1.007277 amu

Mass of 28 protons = 28 * 1.007277 amu = 28.203756 amu

Mass of each neutron = 1.008665 amu

Mass of 28 neutrons = 28 * 1.008665 amu = 28.24262 amu

mass defect of nickel-56  = 0.4667 amu

Binding energy = Δmc^2

Binding energy = 0.4667 *(3 * 10^8)^2

Binding energy =4.2 * 10^16 J

Binding energy per nucleon = 4.2 * 10^16 J/56

Binding energy per nucleon = 7.5 * 10^14 J