Question

Calculate the minimum energy needed to separate a neutron from a nucleus with Z protons and N neutrons in terms of the masses M_{Z, N}, M_z,N-1, and the mass of the neutron.

Answer 1

E₂N = E_Z,N–1 + ¹₀n.

Energy released = (Initial Mass of nucleus – Final mass of nucleus c² = (M_Z.N–1 + M₀ – M_ZN)c².