Question

The difference in mass between a proton and a neutron in kilograms is:

a) 1.3 × 10^-13 kg
b) 1.3 × 10^-16 kg
c) 1.3 × 10^-19 kg
d) 1.3 × 10^-22 kg

Answer 1

The difference in mass between a proton and neutron, corresponding to an energy difference of 1.3 MeV, can be calculated and is found to be 2.317460496 × 10^-36 kg, a value not listed among the provided options.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference in rest energy between a proton (938.3 MeV) and a neutron (939.6 MeV) relates to a difference in their mass, given that energy and mass are equivalent as stated by Einstein's E=mc2. The difference in energy is 1.3 MeV, which can be converted to kilograms using the conversion factor where 1 MeV is equivalent to 1.78266192 × 10-36 kg.

To find the mass difference in kilograms, you do the following calculation:

1.3 MeV × 1.78266192 × 10-36 kg/MeV = 2.317460496 × 10-36 kg.

Since this result is closest to the option 1.3 × 10-36 kg, which is not listed in the original answer choices, it seems there is a typo. However, if we consider only the provided options, we recognize that none of the given answer choices accurately represent this calculation.