Nuclear Mass Defect Calculator
☢ Nuclear & Decay. Use the Nuclear mass defect formula to find mass defect δm, protons z, neutrons n, nucleus mass: pick the value you want, type the others, and the answer updates as you go.
Default: carbon-12 nucleus (11.9967 u).
Pick the ○ next to the value you want to find, fill in the others, and it solves as you type.
What each letter means
| Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|
| Mass defect Δm | u |
| Protons Z | no unit |
| Neutrons N | no unit |
| Nucleus mass | u |
Worked example
Find the mass defect δm when Protons Z = 6, Neutrons N = 6, Nucleus mass = 11.997 u.
Using Δ m = (Z mp + N mn) - mnucleus: Mass defect Δm = 0.098946 u.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for Nuclear mass defect?
Δ m = (Z mp + N mn) - mnucleus. Default: carbon-12 nucleus (11.9967 u).
What do the letters stand for, and what units are used?
Mass defect Δm in u, Protons Z, Neutrons N, Nucleus mass in u.
How do you calculate mass defect δm?
Put the values into Δ m = (Z mp + N mn) - mnucleus. For example, with Protons Z = 6, Neutrons N = 6, Nucleus mass = 11.997 u, mass defect δm = 0.098946 u.
Can I solve for a different value?
Yes. In the calculator above, pick the circle next to any value (mass defect δm, protons z, neutrons n, nucleus mass) and fill in the others: it rearranges the formula for you.
