which quantity can be calculated using the equation e = mc²?\n the energy needed to split an atom into…

which quantity can be calculated using the equation e = mc²?\n the energy needed to split an atom into separate protons, neutrons, and electrons\n the energy needed to split the nucleus into separate protons and neutrons\n the energy needed to remove an electron from an atom\n the energy needed to add an electron to an atom
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Understand $E = mc^{2}$
The equation $E = mc^{2}$ is Einstein's mass - energy equivalence formula. It is used to calculate the energy released or required in processes involving a change in mass, especially in nuclear processes.
Step2: Analyze each option
- Splitting an atom into separate protons, neutrons, and electrons involves more than just nuclear mass - energy conversion as it also includes electron - related energy changes and is a complex multi - step process not simply calculated by $E = mc^{2}$.
- Splitting the nucleus into separate protons and neutrons is a nuclear process. When the nucleus is split, there is a mass defect (a small amount of mass is converted into energy), and the energy released can be calculated using $E = mc^{2}$.
- Removing an electron from an atom is an ionization process which is based on the electric potential energy between the electron and the nucleus and is not calculated using $E = mc^{2}$.
- Adding an electron to an atom is related to electron affinity and is also not calculated using $E = mc^{2}$.
Answer:
the energy needed to split the nucleus into separate protons and neutrons