Re: atomic mass unit question

From: Marshall Dudley (mdudley_at_king-cart.com)
Date: 01/30/05 

Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 12:42:36 -0500

Footer wrote:

> I have what i thought was a simple question regarding the atomic mass
> unit but I haven't been able to find a satisfactory answer anywhere. If
> one amu is defined as 1/12 the mass of a carbon-12 atom, then how can a
> neutron (1.0087 amu) and a proton (1.0073 amu) both be greater than 1
> amu? Six protons and six neutrons would then be greater than 12 amu,
> which would seem to contradict the definition.
> Any help here would be appreciated.

Carbon is more stable then a proton or neutron alone. Use E=MC^2 and you
will find that the deficit is exactly equal to the difference in energy.
(That is how the hydrogen bomb works).

Marshall

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