Atomic Physics - rest mass of Deuterium

[joeykeys]

Homework Statement

Calculate the rest mass of Deuterium nucleus.

Homework Equations

Is it correct to calculate its mass using hydrogen?
i.e. 2*rest mass of hydrogen?..

The Attempt at a Solution

As stated in textbook,
the rest mass of deuterium = 3.34330*10^-27 kg

If it is calculated from hydrogen (my "theory" as above) = 2*(1.67338*10^-27) = 3.34676*10^-27 kg


My question is..
Is my theory correct or there is something wrong with my concept?..
Is there any correct ways to find out the mass of deuterium without looking from textbook's data?

Thank you!

 

[Berdi]

I think the problem arises in the fact that a Deuterium nucleus is a Proton and a Neutron, not 2 Protons, and the masses are slightly different.

 

[kerimek]

Your theory is not entirely correct. While deuterium does have a mass approximately twice that of hydrogen, it is not simply a matter of multiplying the rest mass of hydrogen by 2. This is because the nucleus of deuterium, known as a deuteron, is composed of one proton and one neutron, while the nucleus of hydrogen, known as a proton, is composed of only one proton. The addition of a neutron in deuterium results in a slightly larger mass.

To accurately calculate the rest mass of deuterium, you can use the mass-energy equivalence equation E=mc^2, where m is the rest mass and c is the speed of light. This equation allows you to convert between energy and mass. You can also use the mass defect equation, which takes into account the mass difference between the individual particles (protons and neutrons) and the nucleus they form.

In atomic physics, it is important to use accurate and precise values for rest masses, which can be found in textbooks or online databases. So, while it is possible to calculate the rest mass of deuterium using theoretical concepts, it is more reliable to use data from reputable sources.