mass defect

Question

Mass defect corresponds to?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Concept**: The actual mass of a nucleus is always less than the sum of the individual masses of the protons and neutrons that compose it.
2. **Mass Defect ($\Delta m$)**: This difference is defined as the mass defect.
   - $\Delta m = [Z m_p + (A - Z) m_n] - M_{nucleus}$
3. **Energy Relation**: This missing mass is converted into energy (Binding Energy) during the formation of the nucleus, as per Einstein's equation $E = (\Delta m) c^2$.
4. **Conclusion**: It is the difference between the **calculated sum of nucleon masses** and the **measured nuclear mass**.

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Mass defect arises because total mass of nucleus is: