Question 50
Radioactivity and Nuclear PhysicsWhen a nucleus is formed by bringing protons and neutrons together, the actual mass of the formed nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of the constituent protons and neutrons. The energy equivalent of this mass difference is the
- A.lost energy
- B.work function
- C.building energy
- D.stability energy
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C (building energy)
Explanation
The missing mass (mass defect) corresponds to the binding energy that holds the nucleus together.