TLO 3 Mass Defect & Binding Energy

Question 1

ELO 1 Define Mass Defect

Answer 1

The mass of a particular atom is always slightly less than the sum of the atoms individual neutrons, protons and electron masses. This difference is the Mass Defect.

Question 2

ELO 1 Describe Binding Energy

Answer 2

The amount of energy supplied to a nucleus to separate its nuclear particles completely. Also the amount of energy released if separate particles formed the nucleus.

Question 3

ELO 1 Describe the relationship between mass defect and binding energy

Answer 3

When a nucleus is formed, mass is converted to binding energy, therefore the nucleus weighs less than the sum of its individual particles.

When the nucleus is divided into separated nucleons, binding energy is required and is converted from energy into mass, therefore the sum of the nucleons individual mass is greater than the mass of the nucleus.

A mass decrease results in a corresponding energy increase and vice-versa.

Question 4

ELO 3.1 Describe an x-ray

Answer 4

A bundle of electromagnetic energy emitted by an electron when transitioning from an excited state to a lower-energy state or ground state.

Question 5

ELO 3.1 Describe a gamma ray

Answer 5

Emitted from the nucleus when an excited nucleus transitions to its lowest energy configuration.

Question 6

ELO 3.1 Describe ionization, ionization energy and nucleus energy

Answer 6

Ionization is the process of removing an electron from its orbit and ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from its orbit. (eV to KeV)

Nucleus energy is the energy level of the nucleus ranging from ground state to excited states. (MeV)

Question 7

ELO 3.1 Describe the difference between X-rays and gamma rays.

Answer 7

The difference between them is their energy levels (X-ray is lower) and from where they are emitted.
X-rays come from electrons and gamma rays come from the nucleus