What is Binding energy: Definition and 262 Discussions

In physics and chemistry, binding energy is the smallest amount of energy required to remove a particle from a system of particles or to disassemble a system of particles into individual parts. In the former meaning the term is predominantly used in condensed matter physics, atomic physics, and chemistry, whereas in nuclear physics the term separation energy is used.
A bound system is typically at a lower energy level than its unbound constituents. According to relativity theory, a ΔE decrease in the total energy of a system is accompanied by a decrease ΔM in the total mass, where ΔM⋅c2=ΔE.

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  1. EternusVia

    Binding energy / mass deficit of Earth-moon system?

    Homework Statement Consider the earth-moon system (whose constituent pats we take to be the Earth and the moon separately). a) Compute this system's gravitational potential energy (in joules) and the mass deficit (in kilograms). The radius of the moon's orbit is 384,000 km, and its period is...
  2. HelloCthulhu

    How do I measure the binding energy of a molecule?

    I read a paper on how a magnetic field of 4 T was used to break the van der Waals forces of an HeO molecule with a binding energy of 11.2 cm-1. I'll put the link to my original post below. Can someone tell me how this energy was measured? Your assistance is greatly appreciated...
  3. S

    I Questions about binding energy

    Two of them, actually: 1) My understanding is that rest energy, as an invariant, is an "absolute" or "fixed" quantity. Everyone agrees on "how much" there is. But I'm also accustomed to thinking of potential energy as a quantity without a fixed value, so that we only care about the difference...
  4. victorhugo

    B What is binding energy and how does it hold nuclei together?

    Go to 6:06 From what I've read, it appears that binding energy is the mass lost equally from each nucleon in a nucleus and it is used as some sort of 'glue' in the strong nuclear force to hold the nucleus together. I'm guessing that is incorrect because, with that logic, 2mev + 10mev nuclei...
  5. Tris Fray Potter

    B Asteroid Binding Energy: E=mv^2?

    If the binding energy in nuclear physics is e=mc^2, then would the binding energy of a larger object be: e=mv^2 where v=the velocity of the asteroid?
  6. Hercuflea

    Nuclear binding energy and mass difference

    Homework Statement The textbook on nuclear physics I am going through says: "The atomic weight M of a nuclide of mass number A can be found in the mass difference, ##\Delta##, given in column 3. The quantity ##\Delta = M-A## gives the difference between the nuclides atomic weight and its...
  7. P

    B Difference in binding energy is equal to the energy released

    Can someone please explain why is the difference in binding energy is equal to the energy released in a nuclear fission/fusion. From my understanding of binding energy, it is the energy needed to break bond between neutron and proton or energy released when forming into a nucleus. However, what...
  8. P

    I State of the Universe if we increase/decrease the binding energy of deuterium

    [Sorry for the vague title, had a limit.] I have a question given in my Astronomy class: Below is a list of possible ways in which the universe could have been different. Some of these changes would make life as we know it impossible in our universe. Tick the boxes next to all the changes that...
  9. otaKu

    B Binding energy of the electron in Hydrogen atom.

    This website here says that the expression for binding energy for an electron is: This http://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/chemistry/exam-prep/structure-of-matter/atomic-theory-and-atomic-structure/MITHFH_lecnotes05.pdfby MIT calculates it quantum mechanically to give: The book I was reading...
  10. victorhugo

    I Q: Binding energy per nucleon & energy released in reaction

    EDIT: I figured out what I'm stuck on is WHY do nuclear reactions favor the a reaction such that the product has a HIGHER binding energy per nucleon? Also how is energy released in a fusion reaction if the product requires more binding energy per nucleon? I need an explanation... "The graph...
  11. L

    Binding energy and favorable reactions

    [Moderator note: Thread moved from technical section, thus no template is shown] Hi everyone! I'm currently learning nuclear physics and I have a question: Watching the binding energy per nucleon curve, is the following reaction energetically favorable? 2H + 4He -> 6Li And why? Thanks!
  12. G

    B Binding Energy per Nucleon trend for fusion vs fission

    Hello all! In my Nuclear Power assignment I decided to analyse this graph: I mention that "The difference in atomic mass and binding energy per nucleon for deuterium and helium (fusion elements) is ≈3u and 5.96 MeV respectively. However, for all elements past Iron (fission elements) the...
  13. D

    How Does Binding Energy Affect Mass in Nuclear Reactions?

    Homework Statement We just started binding energy things in class starting off with e=mc^2 and well in my notes it says. "If weakly bound nuclei transform into more strongly bound nuclei, the total mass can be reduced and the mass energy of the final state is lower than the mass energy of the...
  14. Tom MS

    I Gravitational Binding Energy of a Torus

    I was looking at the wikipedia page for the gravitational binding energy of a sphere, but let's say that there was a toroidal planet. What would its gravitational binding energy be? I have attempted the solution similar to what they did on wikipedia and obtained: U = -4 G \pi^5 R^2 r^4 \rho^2...
  15. I

    Binding energy, Coulomb energy

    Homework Statement a) Calculate the difference in binding energy between the mirror nuclide ##^{15}O## and ##^{15}N##. b) Calculate the radius of both nuclide’s assuming the difference in binding energy exclusively depends on difference in Coulomb energy. Homework Equations Mean nuclear radius...
  16. D

    A About X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

    Hello, I am trying to create peak models for some XPS spectra. I have a decent intuition of the chemistry of the samples, and I obtain really good residual standard deviation values for the modeled data; however, some of the FWHM of the modeled oxidized species (C and P) on the narrow scans are...
  17. Anonymous Vegetable

    What is the reason for mass defect in a nuclide?

    I may be misguided here but to my understanding, separate nucleons have a higher mass altogether than the combined nucleus as the potential energy gained from being separated (in the field of the strong force) is being manifested in more mass. If this is true, and if it's not I'd like to know...
  18. Z

    What is the binding energy of H-1?

    Hello Friends ! I have a question regarding binding energy... Trying to calculate the binding energy of H-1 (hydrogen nucleus). Well it is obvious that the binding energy is zero since there is no other nucleons that the proton is bound to. But after having collected the best possible data of...
  19. H

    Binding energy per nucleon and fission/fusion

    Homework Statement Ok so i know that the binding energy per nucleon inceases after fission and fusion and the difference in the binding energy is given out as energy. But if the binding enrgy increases shouldn't there be energy taken in(rather than given out)? Also why is the net loss in my =...
  20. F

    Which of the SEMF terms account for low A binding energy?

    Homework Statement Which of the semi-empirical mass formula terms accounts for a drop in stability at low A and why? Homework Equations B = avA - asA\frac{2}{3} -acZ(Z-1)A\frac{-1}{3} -aa(A-2Z)2A-1 ± apA\frac{3}{4} The Attempt at a Solution I'm struggling getting my head around this one. The...
  21. davidbenari

    Questions about binding energy

    My question relates mostly to molecular and nuclear binding energy. I'm troubled by the statement that "binding energy is the energy required to disassemble a bound system". And that "systems prefer to be in a lower energy state". My troubles with the first question are these: The energy...
  22. J

    What is binding energy can anyone please explain thank you

    I need to know what is binding energy and how is it equal to the outcome in energy
  23. B

    Mass defect and binding energy

    Homework Statement The difference between the mass of one oxygen atom and the sum of the masses of its parts is approx. 2.27 x 10^-28 kg. What is the binding energy that holds an oxygen atom together? (The charge on one electron is 1.6x10^-19 C). Homework Equations E = mc^2 The Attempt at a...
  24. akashpandey

    Effect of prton spin& nuclear interaction on binding energy

    I just want to know what is the effect of proton spin & coloumbs repulsive force & nuclear interaction on binding energy. Plzz explain with derivation.
  25. akashpandey

    Effect of proton spin & nuclear interaction on binding energy

    I just want to know what is the effect of proton spin & coloumbs repulsive force & nuclear interaction on binding energy. Please explain with derivation.
  26. 2

    Why removal of other electrons cause binding energy increase

    I'm talking about the chemical shift. In XPS test, oxidation leads to the increase of binding energy. This is determined by: 1. attraction between nuclear and the electron 2. shielding effect from outer-shell electrons My question is : What does shielding effect mean? Shield what? The positive...
  27. D

    Binding Energy and Strong Nuclear Force: Exploring a Connection

    Homework Statement I have two questions. 1.The definition of binding energy is the work needed to split the nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons. The strong nuclear force keeps the nucleus together hence is it right for me to say the binding energy is equal to the energy of the...
  28. gennarakis

    Find the mass number A of the most stable nuclei given Z

    Homework Statement Knowing the Z (number of protons) of an element, how can I find N (number of neutrons) or A (mass number) of the element? Homework Equations I tried to use the semi-empirical mass formula EB = ανΑ - αsA2/3 - αcZ2/A1/3 - αΑ(Α-2Ζ)2/Α - δ(Α,Ζ) for this. The Attempt at a...
  29. Curious&TheNon

    Finding binding energy and converting into MeV

    Question and formulas The nucleus of a Sulphur atom has an atomic mass of 32 and an atomic number of 16. If the mass of this atomic nucleus is 31.972072 amu (atomic mass unit), find its binding energy in MeV. Table of conversions/constants mass of proton 1.007826 mass of neutron 1.008665 Speed...
  30. P

    Unravelling the Mystery of Rare Gases and Binding Energy

    Hi! I saw something on my lecture notes that I don't really understand. It reads "Rare gases have filled s and p-sub-shells, which leads to a spherically symmetric charge distribution. Since electrons are indistinguishable they take on a common wavefunction. The point is that this results in a...
  31. T

    Gravitational Binding Energy vs total mass energy

    The Gravitational Binding Energy of Earth is 2 * 10^32 J. But the total mass energy of Earth is 5.4 *10^41 J. So the shatter the planet into pieces it would require 2*10^32 J of energy, and to completely destroy the planet without leaving a trace of its existence would require 5.4 *10^41 J right?
  32. C

    Dispersion Relations (tight binding energy)

    The nearest neighbour tight-binding energy band for an fcc metal can be written as: E(kx; ky; kz) = Ei - A - 8t[cos(pi*kx)cos(pi*ky) + cos(pi*ky)cos(pi*kz) + cos(pi*kz)cos(pi*kx)]where kx; ky; kz are express in units of 2*pi/a . Sketch this band dispersion (a) between the (capital Gamma) point...
  33. P

    Binding energy and reaction direction

    I can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for on this, or at least one I understand. Can someone explain why a reaction will proceed if the binding energy of the reactants is larger than the products? I would assume that larger binding energy means the reactants are more stable and so will...
  34. D

    Binding energy & energy required to remove a nucleon

    Homework Statement lets's say the binding energy of 2_1 deuterium atom is 2.00MeV .. what's the energy required to remove a nucleon from the 2_1 deuterium atom Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution the ans is 2.00MeV... why not 1.00MeV ?? because eneryg required to remove a nucleon is...
  35. C

    Binding energy of a nitrogen nucleus

    Homework Statement Hi guys, any help here would be greatly appreciated. I'm told that a carbon-12 atom fuses with a hydrogen nucleus with the atomic mass of 1 to form a nucleus of nitrogen releasing 1.95 MeV as a result. I'm asked to write an equation of the reaction and work out the...
  36. Drakkith

    Quantum Chromodynamics Binding Energy

    Binding energy is typically used to talk about the amount of energy needed to separate bound particles. This means that it represents the energy lost when particles enter a bound state. So, why does this article use the term "binding energy" to talk about the energy/mass content of a proton...
  37. T

    The role of binding energy in fusion

    I am doing a high school research project on nuclear fusion and i just wanted to double check if my understanding of the role of binding energy in fusion reactions was correct. So we add energy in the form of heat to a tritium atom of mass "3" approximately and deuterium of mass "2" , this is...
  38. D

    Exploring Negative Binding Energy: Examples & Explanations

    What is binding energy? Give two examples. Most forms of energy are positive. Why is binding energy negative?
  39. T

    Binding Energy Curve Misunderstanding

    Here's an example of the graphs I am currently studying. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nucene/imgnuk/bcurv.gif I think I have a fundamental misunderstanding of its meaning that I would love to get past. I understand that Fe-56 is the most stable nucleus (although I'm not sure...
  40. KiNGGeexD

    Interatomic potential and binding energy system of equations

    I have attached a photograph of my problem to save time on typing the question I have done the first part to obtain the expression for equilibrium bond length and in the second part I solved that equation for A and substituted it into my binding energy equation and obtained an answer with the...
  41. S

    Gravitational Binding Energy in GR

    What is the gravitational binding energy in GR in the spherically symmetric case? I calculate ##E=mc^2(1-\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{r_s}{R}}})## where ##m## is the mass of the body, ##r_s## is the Schwarzschild radius, and ##R## is the area radius as in the Birkhoff theorem.
  42. F

    In the formation of bonds, is Binding Energy absorbed or released

    i think i don't understand the nature of "Binding Energy" very well, and i have a very significant question what iam really intersted in; is the nuclear binding energy, but i think (hopefuly iam right) that it has the same physical nature (NOT origin) as atomic and molecular binding energies...
  43. A

    Calculate Binding Energy per Nucleon for 2H, 24Mg, 32S & 238U

    Homework Statement Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for each of the following nuclei. (Use the table of atomic masses as necessary.) (a) 2H (b) 24Mg (c) 32S (d) 238U These are all in MeV by the way. Homework Equations E=mc^2 The Attempt at a Solution I found for...
  44. V

    Binding Energy: Why Does Deuterium Have 1 MeV?

    The graph of potential energy of two nucleons shows a minima at 100 MeV,but the binding energy of a deuterium nucleus is close to just 1 MeV. Since binding energy is the energy required to rip apart the nucleus ,hypothetically,should the two values not be same?
  45. T

    What is the Binding Energy of Carbon 12?

    Homework Statement Given that the mass of 1 H is 1.00794 amu, the mass of a neutron is 1.00865 amu and that the energy equivalent of 1 atomic mass unit (AMU) is 931.5 MeV, what is the binding energy of 12C (atomic mass = 12.00000 amu)?Homework Equations (σ) mass decrement=(W) mass of...
  46. M

    Two questions about the binding energy chart?

    Hello I'm a little confused about the binding energy chart and its relevance to nuclei stability. 1) why is nickel-62 nucleas more stable than iron-58 and iron-56 though they have higher binding energy? 2) Why is binding energy lower in nuclei with least number of nucleons? correct me if...
  47. E

    Alpha Decay, Binding Energy and fusion

    Hi there, When an alpha particle is formed inside a nucleus by binding together is this essentially nuclear fusion occurring? Why is this more likely to happen in a large nucleus than a small one? Thanks
  48. B

    Calculate Deutron Mass Given Binding Energy

    Homework Statement The deuteron is a bound state between a proton and a neutron (and the nucleus of the H2 isotope). The binding energy of the deuteron is 2.2MeV. What is the mass of the deuteron? Homework Equations Mp = 938.3 MeV/c^2 Mn = 939.6 MeV/c^2 The Attempt at a Solution...
  49. M

    Questions about Muonic Hydrogen: Binding Energy, Rydberg Formulas & Momentum

    I have a few questions about muonic hydrogen: How to calculate the binding energy? Is there Rydberg formula analog for muonic hydrogen? Is there a way to calculate muon momentum (similar like the electron has, 2.730 e-22 kg m/s)?
  50. H

    (Gravitational) Binding Energy

    Homework Statement How much work must be done to allow the Earth to escape the Sun? Homework Equations E= K + UG where K= 1/2(mv2) and UG=-(GmM)/r W= E2- E1 Fc=mac The Attempt at a Solution I have no idea where to start this, I missed the class where they took this up and I want...
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