Question

Removing one proton from ₁₂²³Mg results in the formation of ₁₁²²Na. If the binding energy per nucleon for ₁₂²³Mg nucleus is 7.9 MeV/A and that of ₁₁²²Na is 8.11 MeV/A, determine the energy required to remove one proton from ₁₂²³Mg.

Answer 1

Total BE of _12²³Mg = 7.9 x 23 MeV

Total BE of ₁₁²³Na = 8.11 x 22 MeV 

Energy required to remove one proton from ₁₂²³Mg is

(7.9 x 23) – (8.11 x 22)

= 181.7 – 178.4 = 3.28 MeV