Question

The neutron separation energy is defined as the energy required to remove a neutron from the nucleus. Obtain the neutron separation energies of the nuclei and from the following data:

= 39.962591 u

) = 40.962278 u

= 25.986895 u

) = 26.981541 u

Answer 1

For

For

A neutron is removed from a nucleus. The corresponding nuclear reaction can be written as:

It is given that:

Mass = 39.962591 u

Mass) = 40.962278 u

Mass = 1.008665 u

The mass defect of this reaction is given as:

Δm =

∴Δm = 0.008978 × 931.5 MeV/c²

Hence, the energy required for neutron removal is calculated as:

For, the neutron removal reaction can be written as:

It is given that:

Mass = 26.981541 u

Mass = 25.986895 u

The mass defect of this reaction is given as:

Hence, the energy required for neutron removal is calculated as: