PHYS 3330 Module 3.2

Mass Energy Equivalence

Recommended Reading

Reading 3.2: Mass Energy EquivalenceDownload

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Apply the mass-energy equivalence principle to nuclear processes.
  • Explain the concepts of mass defect and nuclear binding energy and their significance in nuclear reactions.

Mass Energy Equivalence

Practice!

Practice 3.2.1
How much energy is required to split a 52Cr atom of mass 51.940509 u into two identical 26Mg atoms? The mass of this isotope of magnesium is 25.98259 u.
A. 22.98 MeV 
B. 14.20 MeV 
C. 0.0247 MeV
D. 0.6936 MeV
E. 0.1562 MeV
Check your answer: A. 22.98 MeV
Practice 3.2.2
An antiproton is a proton with a negative charge. What energy would be emitted if a proton annihilated an antiproton?
A. 938 MeV
B. 1876 MeV
C. 511 keV
D. 1.022 MeV
Check your answer: B. 1876 MeV

Discuss!

Why aren’t the masses of all nuclei integer multiples of the mass of a single nucleon?