DP Physics (first assessment 2025)

Test builder »

Question 22N.2.SL.TZ0.a

Select a Test
Date November 2022 Marks available [Maximum mark: 2] Reference code 22N.2.SL.TZ0.a
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ0
Command term Outline Question number a Adapted from N/A
a.
[Maximum mark: 2]
22N.2.SL.TZ0.a

Outline, by reference to nuclear binding energy, why the mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of its constituent nucleons.

[2]

Markscheme

according to ΔE = Δmc2 / identifies mass energy equivalence ✓

 

energy is released when nucleons come together / a nucleus is formed «so nucleus has less mass than individual nucleons»

OR

energy is required to «completely» separate the nucleons / break apart a nucleus «so individual nucleons have more mass than nucleus» ✓

 

Accept protons and neutrons.

Examiners report

Still several answers that thought that the nucleus needed to gain energy to bind it together. Most candidates scored at least one for recognising some form of mass/energy equivalence, although few candidates managed to consistently express their ideas here.

Syllabus sections