Question

Calculate the energy equivalent to 1 atomic mass unit (u). Given 1u = 1.66 x 10-27 kg, c = 2.9979 x losms'.

Answer 1

Answer: The energy equivalent to 1 atomic mass unit is $1.49\times 10^{-10}J$

Explanation:

Binding energy is calculated by using Einstein's equation, which is:

$E=\Delta mc^2$

where,

E = Binding energy of the atom

$Delta m$ = Mass defect = 1 amu = $1\times 1.66\times 10^{-27}kg$     (Conversion factor: $1amu=1.66\times 10^{-27}kg$ )

c = speed of light = $2.9979\times 10^8m/s$

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$E=1\times 1.66\times 10^{-27}kg\times (2.9979\times 10^8m/s)^2\\\\E=1.49\times 10^{-10}kg.m^2/s^2=1.49\times 10^{-10}J$

Hence, the energy equivalent to 1 atomic mass unit is $1.49\times 10^{-10}J$