Question

The atomic radius of lead-184 is 183.988120 u. The atomic mass of lead-185 is 184.487490 u. What is the energy bound in the extra neutron?

Answer 1

I know the formula is like E = total energy - energy of neutron.

But how do you set it up?

Answer 2

what is the energy bound in the extra neutron? dude if not mistakin it's same as the binding energy per nucleon(B.E/n) i.e

= [{(# of p+).(rest energy of p+) + (# of n).(rest energy of n) } - { rest energy of the nucleus }] / # of nucleons

and yea we can't just use the simple formula like you stated 'cause all the particles in a nucleus takes part in it's formation by contributing to the binding energy. so if your question was asking for neutron that is inside the nucleus right now then you'll get your answer from this equation that will be for all the particles.

details: there was a correction in the formulas for finding the energies of nucleus by the liquid drop model that would give result when neutrons outnumber protons.