Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to disassemble a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons. It is a measure of the stability of a nucleus.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Nuclear binding energy can be calculated using Einstein's equation, $E=mc^2$, where $m$ is the mass defect and $c$ is the speed of light.
The mass defect is the difference between the mass of an atomic nucleus and the sum of the masses of its individual protons and neutrons.
A higher nuclear binding energy indicates a more stable nucleus.
Iron-56 has one of the highest binding energies per nucleon, making it exceptionally stable.
Binding energy per nucleon typically peaks around iron and nickel in the periodic table.
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Related terms
Mass Defect: The difference between the mass of an atomic nucleus and the sum of the masses of its individual protons and neutrons.
Einstein’s Equation: $E=mc^2$; relates energy ($E$) to mass ($m$) with $c$ being the speed of light.
Nucleon: A particle found in the nucleus, either a proton or neutron.