Physics

Problem

The experimental nuclear mass of

^{238}_{\;92}\mathrm U

238.050788\,\text{u}

. Given •

Z = 92

A = 238

•

m_p = 1.007276\,\text{u}

, •

m_n = 1.008665\,\text{u}

, •

1\,\text{u} = 931.5\,\text{MeV}/c^{2}

, • Avogadro number

N_A = 6.02 \times 10^{23}\,\text{mol}^{-1}

, answer the following questions. a. (i) Compute the mass defect of a single

^{238}_{\;92}\mathrm U

nucleus in atomic mass units. b. (ii) Determine the corresponding binding energy in MeV per nucleus. c. (iii) Convert the binding energy obtained in part (ii) to joules. d. (iv) If

1.0\,\text{kg}

^{238}_{\;92}\mathrm U

could be completely broken into its separate protons and neutrons, calculate the total energy required in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

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