Question

A proton and a neutron combine to give a deuterium nucleus.If $m_o$ and $m_p$ be the mass of neutron and proton respectively, then mass of deuterium nucleus is

• A. equal to $m_o$+$m_p$
• B. more than $m_o$+$m_p$
• C. less than $m_o$+$m_p$
• D. can be less than or more than $m_o$+$m_p$

Answer 1

The correct option is C less than $m_o$+$m_p$

The energy released during this during this in form of gamma photon comes from mass defect. (i.e., $E=m{c}^2$, where $m$ is the mass defect). The mass of the deuterium nucleus (2.01355 u) is less than the sum of the masses of the proton (1.00728 u) and the neutron (1.00866 u), which is 2.01594 u.