What Is Mass Defect? - Byju's

Mass defect is the difference between the actual atomic mass and the predicted mass calculated by adding the mass of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus. The actual atomic mass is less than the predicted mass calculated by adding the masses of nucleons. This additional mass is accounted for by binding energy that is released when a nucleus is formed. When a nucleus is formed, some of the mass is converted to energy and this results in the mass defect. Due to this reason, the actual mass of an atomic nucleus is less than the mass of particles it is made up of.

Download the Complete Guide to NEET UG Prep Download Now

Mass Defect

The actual mass of the atomic nucleus is always less than the mass of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus. When a nucleus is formed, energy is released. This energy is removed in the form of a reduction in total mass. This missing mass is known as the ‘mass defect’ and it accounts for the energy released.

The mass defect (𝚫M) can be calculated by subtracting the original atomic mass (MA) from the sum of the mass of protons (mp= 1.00728 amu) and neutrons (mn= 1.00867 amu) present in the nucleus.

Mass defect formula:

𝚫M = (Zmp + Nmn) – MA

𝚫M – mass defect

MA – mass of the nucleus

mp – mass of a proton, i.e. 1.00728 amu

mn – mass of a neutron, i.e. 1.00867 amu

Z – number of protons

N – number of neutrons

Nuclear Binding Energy

Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split an atomic nucleus into its components. It is the energy equivalent to the mass defect.

Binding energy can be calculated by Einstein’s formula, E = mc2.

This was in brief about Mass Defect. Get access to all the NEET questions with explanations, only at BYJU’S.

Also Check:

• MCQs on Mass Defect
• MCQs on Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
• MCQs on Solid State
• MCQs on Chemical Kinetics
• MCQs on Coordination Compounds

Test your Knowledge on What Is Mass Defect Q5

Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs. Click ‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” buttonCheck your score and answers at the end of the quiz

Start Quiz

Congrats!

Visit BYJU’S for all Biology related queries and study materials

Your result is as below

0 out of 0 arewrong 0 out of 0 are correct 0 out of 0 are Unattempted View Quiz Answers and Analysis X Login To View Results Mobile Number* Send OTP Did not receive OTP?

Request OTP on Voice Call

Login To View Results Name* Email ID* Grade* Grade 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 City* View Result

Comments

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

* Send OTP Did not receive OTP?

Request OTP on Voice Call

* * Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

* Send OTP * * * * * Grade Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 Class 7 Class 8 Class 9 Class 10 Class 11 Class 12 IAS CAT Bank Exam GATE Download Now

Register with BYJU'S & Watch Live Videos

* Send OTP * * * * * Grade Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 Class 7 Class 8 Class 9 Class 10 Class 11 Class 12 IAS CAT Bank Exam GATE Watch Now