Topic explanation

Standard explanation

Mass defect is the difference between the total mass of the separate nucleons of a nucleus and the actual mass of the bound nucleus.

Key points

• Δm = Zm_H + Nmₙ − M_atom
• Δm = Zmₚ + Nmₙ − M_nucleus
• E = Δmc²
• Atomic-Mass Form: A nucleus consists of: `Z` protons `N` neutrons where: A = Z + N If the individual nucle
• Formula / Key Relation: Δm = Zmₚ + Nmₙ − M_nucleus and: E = Δmc²
• Mass defect is the mass equivalent of nuclear binding energy.

Labelled diagram