Question

The mass defect is the result of what action occurring?

energy being converted into moles of atoms when neutrons break apart protons



mass being converted to energy when protons and neutrons bind together in a nucleus



mass being converted to energy when protons and neutrons break apart in a nucleus



protons and electrons being attracted to each other



strong forces overcoming weak forces

Answer 1

mass defect is caused by nuclear binding energy therefore the answer is B. good luck

Answer 2

I believe the answer is:

mass being converted to energy when protons and neutrons bind together in a nucleus

this happen when The mass of a nucleus is lesser than the sum of the individual masses of the free constituent neutrons and protons. When this happened, energy would be released as the nucleus is formed, and this is what is known as the mass defect.