Title: Universal equality of masses of nucleons and binding energy of the nucleus

Authors: Ajay Sharma

Addresses: Fundamental Physics Society, His Mercy Campus, Post Box 107, GPO Shimla 171001, HP, India

Abstract: There are two inherent observations: firstly, masses of nucleons are fundamental constants, i.e., they are the same universally (inside and outside the nucleus in all cases); and secondly, nuclei possess Binding Energy (BE) (Δmc²) owing to a mass defect. To explain these observations, in the case of the deuteron (BE = 2.2244 MeV), the mass defect of nucleons must be 0.002388 amu or about 0.118 54% of the mass of nucleons, i.e., nucleons must be lighter in the nucleus. This is not experimentally justified. If the generalised equation ΔE = Ac²Δm is applied, then it explains both observations simultaneously, i.e., the equality of masses of nuclei (assuming an infinitesimally small mass defect) and the BE. According to ΔE = Ac²Δm, even with an infinitesimally small mass defect (2.388 × 10⁻⁴ amu, for example), the BE of the deuteron can be 2.2244 MeV owing to the presence of the conversion factor A.

Keywords: mass defects; nucleus binding energy; BE; deuteron; nucleons; nuclear science; nuclear energy; nuclear power; nucleon masses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2007.017077

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2007 Vol.3 No.4, pp.370 - 377

Published online: 06 Feb 2008 *

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