Question

A nuclear reaction is accompanied by loss of mass equivalent to 0.01864 amu. What is the amount of energy liberated?
(A) 931 MeV
(B) 186.6 MeV
(C) 17.36 MeV
(D) 460 MeV

Answer 1

Hint: Keeping in mind the fact that the loss of mass of 1 amu results in the liberation of 931 MeV of energy, We can calculate the amount of energy liberated if the loss of mass is equivalent to 0.01864 amu.

Formula Used: The formula for the amount of energy liberated is given as-
Energy liberated = loss of mass × 931 MeV

Complete Step by Step Solution:
When a nuclear reaction is accompanied by a loss of mass equivalent to 0.01864amu, then the amount of energy liberated is calculated as follows:
Energy liberated = loss of mass × 931
= 0.01864 × 931
= 17.36 MeV
Hence, the amount of energy liberated is equal to 17.36 MeV. This energy is also known as the binding energy of the nucleus.
Correct option: (C) 17.36 MeV.

Additional Information: The amount of energy released is a measure of how well a nucleus is held together. It is the minimum amount of energy required for the nucleus to break into its constituent nucleons, known as the binding energy of the nucleus or nuclear binding energy. The larger the value of nuclear binding energy, the greater the stability of the nucleus. Inversely, the smaller the value of nuclear binding energy, the lesser the stability of the nucleus.

Note: The loss of mass is also known as the mass defect (∆m). The binding energy can also be calculated in terms of atomic mass units (amu), as
${{E}_{b}}=(\Delta m){{c}^{2}}$ amu;
where $\Delta m$ is mass defect and c is the speed of light.