wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

The mass of H atom is less than sum of the masses of a proton and electron. Why is this?

Open in App
Solution

There is something called the strong nuclear force (strong interaction) that binds protons and neutrons (and other particles) together. This force overall reduces the energy of the system - energy released as heat. The binding energy (not of electrons to protons but of protons to neutrons) becomes greater as elements become heavier as you increase atomic mass until you reach iron, at which point it begins to decrease. This is why fusing hydrogen atoms together releases energy and splitting uranium does the same.
so from the einstein's equation the binding force is responsible,

flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
0
similar_icon
Similar questions
View More
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Mass - Energy Equivalence
PHYSICS
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon