Question

What is the average binding energy per nucleon for a C-12 nucleus with a mass defect of 0.0993 amu? (1 amu= 1.66 x 10-27 kg; 1 J = 1 kg m2/s2)

Answer 1

I understand it uses E=MC^2 somehow, but I'm not quite sure the exact way it does.

Answer 2

convert the mass defect to kilograms
\[D=0.0993 [\text{amu}]\\\qquad\qquad=0.0993 [\text{amu}]\times1.66 \times 10^{-27} \frac{[\text{kg}]}{[\text{amu}]}\\\qquad\qquad\qquad=\dots[\text{kg}]\]
then convert to energy
\[\quad=\dots[\text{kg}]\times{\big(c[\text{m/s}]\big)^2}\\
\,\\
\qquad=\dots\times{c^2}[\text{J}]\]

If you want energy in terms of electron volts

\[\qquad=\dots\times{c^2} [\text{J}]\div{1.60\times10^{-19}}\frac{[\text{J}]}{[\text{eV}]}\\
\qquad=\dots\times{c^2}\div{1.60\times10^{-19}}{[\text{eV}]}\\
\qquad=\]

Divide this by the number of nucleons
to find the average binding energy per nucleon