(Helium nucleus)
The nucleus of the helium-4 isotope contains two protons and two neutrons. The following data are given:
• mass of a proton = 1.007276 u
• mass of a neutron = 1.008665 u
• mass of a helium-4 nucleus = 4.002603 u
• 1 u corresponds to 931.5 MeV of energy
Answer the following:
a. (i) Calculate the mass defect of the helium-4 nucleus in atomic mass units (u).
b. (ii) Determine the total binding energy of the helium-4 nucleus in MeV.
c. (iii) Find the binding energy per nucleon of helium-4 in MeV.