Mass Defect (Noun)
Meaning
The amount by which the mass of an atomic nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of its constituent particles.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The binding energy of the nucleus is equal to the mass defect times the speed of light squared.
- To calculate the mass defect of a nucleus, the masses of the protons and neutrons must be known accurately.
- A large mass defect indicates that a nucleus is very tightly bound and is less likely to undergo radioactive decay.
- The mass defect of a nucleus is responsible for the binding energy that holds its constituent particles together.
- Measurements of the mass defect have been used to study the stability of different isotopes and to predict the binding energies of unmeasured nuclei.