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In the nucleus of what element does the nucleon have the least mass?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
It is in the atoms of iron that the nucleons have the least mass. Nucleons in iron have the highest binding energy per nucleon of any element. Want to know what the relationship is? Good. Let's review.
The nucleons of an atom are the protons and neutrons that make up the nucleus of that atom. Neutrons have a mass of about 1.67 x 10-27 kg, and protons are slightly lighter than neutrons. But when protons and neutrons are fused together to form atomic nuclei (like in fusion reactions in stars), some of the mass of each nucleon is converted into binding energy or nuclear glue. It might be preferable to say that residual strong force is what holds atomic nuclei together. In any case, the "drop in mass" associated with the conversion of that mass to binding energy is called mass deficit. There are a number of complexities involved in nuclear formation, and when we look at different elements, there are different binding energies set up (during fusion) to keep the different nuclei together. Let's look in on that just a bit by taking a couple of examples.
In helium (He-4), two protons and two neutrons are bound together in the nucleus. Each of the nucleons has "donated" some mass, which mediation by the strong interaction changed into nuclear glue. Each nucleon could be said to have donated mHe to allow the nucleus to stay together. In oxygen (O-16) however, each nucleon donated mO to the process creating binding energy for the oxygen nucleus. The nucleons in oxygen donated more of their mass, and these nucleons end up with less mass per nucleon than the nucleons in helium. See how that works? But there's a catch. There always is, isn't there?
When we look at the amount of mass deficit a nucleon undergoes in different elements as we move up the Periodic Table, we see that an increasing amount of the mass of nucleons is converted into binding energy, as you might have guessed. But that all stops at iron. Iron nuclei are the most tightly bound nuclei of all the elements. As we move on up the periodic table from there, we see a decreasing amount of mass deficit in each nucleon of atomic nuclei. And that's the way it is. Completely explaining why this occurs would fill a semester of college physics. Use the link below to see the graph of binding energy per nucleon across the elements. (Note that iron sits at the peak.)
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoiron.
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When does a nucleon have more mass?
A nucleon has more mass when it is not bound to the nucleus of an atom. When the nucleon is bound to other nucleons the binding energy that keeps them together comes from the mass of the nucleon. Therefore the mass of a single nucleon will be smaller in an atom than on it's own.
What is the order of binding energy per nucleon nucleus?
It is the division of the nuclear binding energy over the mass number.
How does Neutron emission from a nucleus affect an element?
It changes only the atomic mass.
What is nuclear blinding energy?
Nuclear binding energy is the energy that holds nucleons (protons and neutrons) together in an atomic nucleus. It is derived from what is called mass deficit. Each nucleon in the atom gives up a tiny amount of its mass when the atom is created. This mass in converted into binding energy.
Define the term mass number?
Mass number is a value approximate to the number of protons (Atomic Number) plus the number of neutrons within an atom of the element considered. I say approximate as mass number takes into account the mass of the nucleus and not the actual number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
A nucleon has the least mass in the nucleus of uranium iron plutonium hydrogen?
The masses of the nucleons are independent from the type of nucleus.
When does a nucleon have more mass?
A nucleon has more mass when it is not bound to the nucleus of an atom. When the nucleon is bound to other nucleons the binding energy that keeps them together comes from the mass of the nucleon. Therefore the mass of a single nucleon will be smaller in an atom than on it's own.
The mass number of an atom is the?
The mass number also refers to the nucleon number. Usually the larger number among the two present in the periodic table, the nucleon number refers to the number of protons and neutrons present within an atomic nucleus of an element.
Where is most of the mass of an atom within the nucleus or outside of the nucleus?
The whole is less than the sum of the parts. A proton or neutron (nucleon) will have less mass in a nucleus that outside it. That's because some of the mass of a nucleon is converted into binding energy to hold an atomic nucleus together. That's the so-called mass deficit. Oh, and before we go, a proton or neutron is called a nucleon only inside the nucleus of an atom. We don't apply that term to either one when they're outside the nucleus.
What is the difference between the atomic number and mass of an element?
Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. But Atomic Mass is the mass of the nucleus and mass of the electrons around the nucleus. If suppose we say the mass number then it is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Nucleon is the common name for both proton and neutron. Hence mass number is the total number of nucleons.
What is the difference between the atomic number and the mass of an element?
Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. But Atomic Mass is the mass of the nucleus and mass of the electrons around the nucleus. If suppose we say the mass number then it is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Nucleon is the common name for both proton and neutron. Hence mass number is the total number of nucleons.
What is the difference between the atomic number and atomic mass of an element?
Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. But atomic mass is the mass of the nucleus and mass of the electrons around the nucleus. If suppose we say the mass number then it is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Nucleon is the common name for both proton and neutron. Hence mass number is the total number of nucleons.
How does the mass of an electron compare to the mass of a nucleon?
The vast majority of mass in an element is located in the nucleus, comprised of protons and neutrons. Electrons are considered to have almost no mass, although that they exist at all would imply that they must in fact have some mass.
What is the mass number minus the atomic number called?
Nucleon Number (total number of protons and neutrons)
the mass defect for the nucleus of helium is 0.0303 amu what is the binding energy per nucleon for helium in MeV?
For helium the binding energy per nucleon is 28.3/4 = 7.1 MeV. The helium nucleus has a high binding energy per nucleon and is more stable than some of the other nuclei close to it in the periodic table.
What percentage of an atom's mass is the nucleus?
The precise figure varies from element to element and isotope to isotope depending on the number of neutrons in the nucleus, however it is always at least 99.95% which is the ratio between an electron and a proton.
What is the order of binding energy per nucleon nucleus?
It is the division of the nuclear binding energy over the mass number.
