STANDARDPhysics-Nuclear Physics

STANDARD Physics Mass Defect MCQ Question

Type: MCQ-conceptual-Medium

Let mₚ be the mass of a proton, mₙ the mass of a neutron, M₁ the mass of a ²⁰₁₀Ne nucleus and M₂ the mass of a ⁴⁰₂₀Ca nucleus. Then

A

M₂ = M₁

B

M₂ > 2M₁

C

M₂ < 2M₁

D

M₁ < 10 (mₙ + mₚ)

Correct Answer

Option D

Detailed Explanation

Due to mass defect, the rest mass of a nucleus is always less than the sum of the rest masses of its constituent nucleons. ¹⁰₂₀Ne nucleus consists of 10 protons and 10 neutrons. M₁ < 10 (mₚ + mₙ).

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