Question

One of the most stable nuclei in terms of binding energy per nucleon is 58Ni. If the atomic mass of 58Ni is 57.935348 u, calculate the binding energy per nucleon (in J) for 58Ni. (Enter an unrounded value. Assume that the mass of 11H = 1.007825 u, mp = 1.007275 u, mn = 1.008666 u, and me = 0.000549 u, respectively.)

Answer 1

The binding energy of the Ni is obtained as 1.4 *
`10^{-9` J.

What is binding energy?

Binding energy refers to the energy required to disassemble a system of particles into individual components or, conversely, the energy released when these components come together.

Mass of protons = 28 * 1.007275

= 18.2037 u

Mass of neutrons = 30(1.008666)

= 30.25998 u

Total mass = 18.2037 u + 30.25998 u

= 48.46368 u

Difference in mass = 57.935348 u - 48.46368 u

= 9.471668 u

We know that;

ΔE = m
`c^2`

= 9.471668 u * 1.66*
`10^{-27` kg * (3 *
`10^8)^2` m/s

= 1.4 *
`10^{-9` J