Mass Defect, Binding Energy, and Nuclear Stability (Leaving Cert Physics): Quizzes
📚Quizzes
Practise the questions
15 questions from this quiz
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Practise the questions
15 questions from this quiz
What is mass defect?
What is mass defect?
Difference between expected & actual mass
When calculating mass defect, how does actual nucleus mass compare to sum of nucleon masses?
When calculating mass defect, how does actual nucleus mass compare to sum of nucleon masses?
Actual mass is less
How is binding energy related to mass defect?
How is binding energy related to mass defect?
Binding energy = mass defect ×
What is the value of the speed of light used in binding energy calculations?
What is the value of the speed of light used in binding energy calculations?
m/s
What does binding energy represent when a nucleus forms?
What does binding energy represent when a nucleus forms?
Energy released when nucleons combine
What does a higher binding energy indicate about a nucleus?
What does a higher binding energy indicate about a nucleus?
Greater stability
How is binding energy per nucleon calculated?
How is binding energy per nucleon calculated?
Binding energy ÷ number of nucleons
Which nucleus sits at the peak of the binding energy curve?
Which nucleus sits at the peak of the binding energy curve?
Iron-56
How can light elements increase their stability?
How can light elements increase their stability?
Through nuclear fusion
How can heavy elements like uranium increase their stability?
How can heavy elements like uranium increase their stability?
By splitting via nuclear fission
Why does nuclear fusion release energy?
Why does nuclear fusion release energy?
Products have higher binding energy
Why does nuclear fission release energy?
Why does nuclear fission release energy?
Products closer to stability peak
What is the mass of a proton?
What is the mass of a proton?
kg
What does the minimum energy needed to break a nucleus apart completely represent?
What does the minimum energy needed to break a nucleus apart completely represent?
Its binding energy
What do both nuclear fusion and fission have in common?
What do both nuclear fusion and fission have in common?
Both create more stable nuclei