# Nuclear Physics - Mass Defect &amp; Binding Energy

1. Jun 3, 2008

### Kylah

[SOLVED] Nuclear Physics - Mass Defect &amp; Binding Energy

1. Carbon 12 ($$^{12}_{6}$$C) has a nuclear mass of 1.99264 x 10-26 kg, a proton has a mass of 1.67353 x 10-27, and a neutron has a mass of 1.67492 x 10-27 kg. Calculate the mass defect for carbon 12.

My equation looks like this:
$$\Delta$$m = [Z(mp+me) + (A-Z)mn]-matom

Where:
$$\Delta$$m = ?
mp = 1.67353 x 10-27 kg
mn = 1.67353 x 10-27 kg
me =
matom = 1.99264 x 10-26
Z = 6
A = 12

What I'm not sure is what me is. Could anybody help me?

2. Jun 3, 2008

### Vuldoraq

Hey,

The mass of an electron is 1836 times smaller than the mass of a proton $$m_{e}=9.10938*10^{-31}Kg$$, though I think that even if you take it into consideration in your calculation you will find it makes no difference to your result, since your other numbers don't have sufficient decimal places.

3. Jun 3, 2008

### Chi Meson

Actually the electron mass will be significant here. 12 electrons will have a total mass of 0.01093 x 10^-27kg. With 6 significant digits, this mass can not be ignored.

4. Jun 3, 2008

Thank you!