Mass Defect — the NEET Physics formula with its derivation, variables, validity constraints and worked solver.
Mass Defect Applicable in nuclear physics to calculate the binding energy of a nucleus using Einstein's mass-energy equivalence. Calculate the sum of the masses of individual protons in the nucleus (Z m p) Calculate the sum of the masses of individual neutrons (A - Z) m n Subtract the actual mass of the bound nucleus from the sum of the masses of its constituents Masses must be in the same units (usually atomic mass units 'u' or 'kg') Calculation assumes the nucleus is in its ground state Thinking that mass is 'lost' in the sense of disappearing; it is actually converted into binding energy as per E=mc 2. Confusing atomic mass with nuclear mass; nuclear mass is atomic mass minus electron masses.