Physics

Problem

Using the following nuclear masses (in atomic mass units):

^{28}\!\text{Si}=27.9769

^{27}\!\text{Al}=26.9815

^{56}\!\text{Fe}=55.9349

^{55}\!\text{Mn}=54.9380

, and proton mass

m_{p}=1.00728

, determine which nucleus has the greater proton separation energy (energy required to remove one proton). a)

^{56}\!\text{Fe}

has the greater proton separation energy by about

2\,\text{MeV}

b) Both nuclei have nearly equal proton separation energies (difference

<0.5\,\text{MeV}

) c)

^{28}\!\text{Si}

has the greater proton separation energy by about

2\,\text{MeV}

^{28}\!\text{Si}

has the greater proton separation energy by about

5\,\text{MeV}