Aneutron and a proton combine to form a nucleus. how does the mass of the nucleus compare with the sum of the masses of its individual particles?

a. the nucleus has less mass, because matter is converted into binding energy.

b. the nucleus has more mass, because matter is converted into binding energy.

c. the nucleus has less mass, because binding energy is converted into matter.

d. the nucleus has more mass, because binding energy is converted into matter.