Draw the graph to show variation of binding energy per nucleon with mass number of different atomic nuclei. Calculate binding energy per nucleon of `" "_(20)^(40)Ca` nucleus. Given : mass of `" "_(20)^(40)Ca = 39.962589 u`, mass of proton=1.007825 u, mass of neutron=1.008665 u and 1 u=931 MeV/`c^(2)`.

Explanation

Binding energy of `" "_(20)^(40)Ca` nucleus
`E_(b) =[20m_(p) + 20m_(n)-m (" "_(20)^(40)Ca)] xc^(2)= [20 xx 1.007825 + 20 xx 1.008665 - 39.962589] u xx c^(2)= 0.367211 u xx c^(2) = 0.367211 xx 931 MeV = 341.8 MeV`.
`therefore` Binding energy per nucleon `E_(bn) =341.8/40= 8.545 MeV` /nucleon.