#Nuclear Physics: A Last-Minute Review ⚛️

Hey there, future physicist! Let's get you prepped for the AP Physics 2 exam with a super-focused review of nuclear physics. We'll break down the key concepts, highlight what's most important, and make sure you're feeling confident and ready to go!

#Mass-Energy Equivalence: E=mc² 💡

#The Core Idea

Einstein's famous equation, $E = \Delta mc^2$, tells us that mass and energy are interchangeable. This means:

• A small amount of mass can be converted into a HUGE amount of energy.
• Conversely, energy can be converted into mass.

#Key Takeaways

• Δm (delta m) is the change in mass (in kg).
• c is the speed of light (approximately 3 x 10⁸ m/s).
• E is the energy equivalent of that mass change (in Joules).

#Binding Energy: Holding It All Together 💪

#What is Binding Energy?

Binding energy is the energy required to separate a system into its individual particles. It's a measure of the strength of the forces holding the system together. Think of it as the "glue" that keeps a nucleus intact.

• It's the energy needed to break apart a nucleus into its individual protons and neutrons.
• It's also the energy released when a nucleus is formed from its individual nucleons.

#Calculating Binding Energy

1. Mass Defect (Δm): The difference between the mass of the individual nucleons (protons and neutrons) and the mass of the nucleus.

   • Atomic mass unit (amu or u): 1 u = 1.6605 x 10⁻²⁷ kg. This is a super small unit, perfect for atoms!
   • Mass of proton (mp) = 1.00728 u
   • Mass of neutron (mn) = 1.00867 u

2. Binding Energy (BE): Use $BE = \Delta m c^2$ or $BE(MeV) = \text{Mass Defect} * 931.5 \text{ MeV/u}$ (since 1 u = 931.5 MeV).

   • The mass defect is converted into energy, which is the binding energy.

3. Average Binding Energy: $Avg BE = \frac{BE}{A}$ where A is the mass number (number of protons + n...