this is KCET question... The atomic mass of C-12 is 12.0032. Find the mass defect. a) 0.03 b) 0.0034 c) 0.034 c) none The answer is 0.0034 Howz that possible ... isn't mass defect for a nucleus Z X A - Z having atomic no. Z and mass no. A = Zm p + (A - Z)m n - m( Z X A - Z ) ??? But what is used here seems as if mass defect = M - A where M is actual mass and the mass number A (not even a mass). Please explain this concept to me .... from where did this weird formula of difference of a mass and a number came for mass defect ??

this is KCET question...

 

The atomic mass of C-12 is 12.0032. Find the mass defect.

a) 0.03 b) 0.0034 c) 0.034 c) none

 

The answer is 0.0034

 

Howz that possible ...

isn't mass defect for a nucleus _ZX^{A - Z} having atomic no. Z and mass no. A

= Zm_p+ (A - Z)m_n - m( _ZX^{A - Z} )  ???

 

But what is used here seems as if mass defect = M - A

where M is actual mass and the mass number A (not even a mass).

 

Please explain this concept to me .... from where did this weird formula of difference of a mass and a number came for mass defect ??