Assume that a neutron breaks into a proton and an electron. The energy released during this process is (Mass of neutron = `1.6725 xx 10^(-27)` kg, mass of proton = `1.6725 xx 10^(-27)` kg, mass of electron = `9 xx 10^(-31)` kg)

Answer

`0.73 MeV`

Explanation

Mass defect of the process is given by
`Delta m=["Mass of neutron" -("mass of proton + mass of electron")]`
` =[1.6747 xx 10^(-27) -(1.6725 xx10^(-27) + 9 xx 10^(-31))]`
`=0.0013 xx 10^(-27) kg`
According to mass -energy relatinship,
Energy released = `Delta m c^(2)`
`E=(0.0013 xx10^(-27)) xx (3 xx 10^(8))^(2)`
`(1.17 xx 10^(-3))/(l1.6 xx 10^(-19))` =0.73 xx10^(6) eV=0.73 MeV`.