Question

Calculate the minimum energy needed to separate a neutron from a nucleus with Zprotons and N neutrons it terms of the masses M_Z.N' M_Z,N−1 and the mass of the neutron.

Answer 1

Before the separation of neutron, let the mass of the nucleus be M_Z,N.
Then, after the separation of neutron, the mass of the nucleus will be M_Z,_N-1.
The reaction is given by

`E_(Z,N) = E_(Z,N-1) + _0^1n`

If `(M_N)` is the mass of the neutron, then the energy needed to separate the neutron b (ΔE) will be 

ΔE = (Final mass of nucleus + Mass of neutron − Initial mass of the nucleus)c²

`ΔE = (M_(Z,N-1) + M_N - M_(Z,N))c^2`