Question
Show that the minimum energy needed to separate a proton from a nucleus with $Z$ protons and $N$ neutrons is:
$\Delta\text{E}=(\text{M}_{\text{Z}-1,\text{N}}+\text{M}_{\text{H}}-\text{M}_{\text{Z,N}})\text{c}^2$
where $M_{Z,N} =$ mass of an atom with $Z$ protons and $N$ neutrons in the nucleus and $M_H =$ mass of a hydrogen atom. This energy is known as proton-separation energy.

Answer

$E_{Z.N.} \rightarrow E_{Z-1,} N + P_1$
$\Rightarrow E_{Z.N.} \rightarrow E_{Z-1,} N + _1H^1 [$As hydrogen has no neutrons but protons only$]$
$\Delta E = (M_{Z-1, }N + N_H - M_{Z,N})c^2$

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