Question

What is the nuclear binding energy for oxygen-16?

Answer 1

The O-16 nucleus has a mass of 15.9905 amu, A proton has a mass of 1.00728 amu, a neutron has a mass of 1.008665amu, and 1amu is equivalent to 931 MeV of energy.

Answer 2

Answer;

Binding energy = 123.4 MeV

Explanation;

• The O-16 nucleus has a mass of 15.9905 amu, A proton has a mass of 1.00727 amu,a neutron has a mass of 1.00866 amu, and 1 amu is equivalent to 931 MeV of energy.

• The oxygen isotope with 16 nucleons has 8 protons and 8 neutrons, so Z=8 and A=16.

Therefore;

Proton mass: 1.00727 amu x 8 = 8.05816 amu

Neutron mass: 1.00866 amu x 8 = 8.06928 amu

Total                                               =  16.12744 amu

Mass defect = 16.12744 amu -15.9949 amu

                     = 0.1325 amu

Binding energy = 0.1325 amu x 931 MeV/amu

                          = 123.4 MeV