Question

Because the neutron has no charge, its mass must be found in some way other than by using a mass spectrometer. When a neutron and a proton meet (assume both to be almost stationary), they combine and form a deuteron, emitting a gamma ray whose energy is 2.2233 MeV. The masses of the proton and the deuteron are 1.007 276 467 u and 2.013 553 212 u, respectively. Based on this data, what is the mass of the neutron

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Energy of gamma ray = 2.2233 MeV

Let mass of neutron be n amu

mass defect of deuteron = 2.013553212 - ( 1.007 276 467 + n ) u .

in terms of energy this mass defect will be equal to energy of gamma ray

1 amu = 931 MeV

931 [ 2.013553212 - ( 1.007 276 467 + n ) ] = 2.2233

( 1.007 276 467 + n ) - 2.013553212 = .00238807733

n = 1.008664822 amu

so mass of neutron = 1.008664822 amu