Binding Energy: Why Does Deuterium Have 1 MeV?

In summary, 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. This is because the binding energy of two nucleons depends on the nucleon type and the energy required to rip apart the nucleus. However, these values do not have to be the same, as seen in the example of the hydrogen atom. The real nucleons will form a wave-function and have an energy corresponding to a solution of the Schrödinger equation.
  • #1
VishalChauhan
30
1
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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Can you show the graph?
In general the binding energy of two nucleons depends on the nucleon type (eg nn and pp are not possible)... For having a bound state you need E<0.
 
  • #3
Please see the attachment.
 

Attachments

  • Capture.JPG
    Capture.JPG
    13.3 KB · Views: 486
  • #4
I guess that this graph wants to describe the fact that the nucleons will prefer existing within the nuclei radius, rather than going too far away or falling on each other
 
  • #5
VishalChauhan said:
Since binding energy is the energy required to rip apart the nucleus ,hypothetically,should the two values not be same?

No, they don't have to be the same. Look at the hydrogen atom, for instance. The electron's binding energy is 13.6 eV while the minimum energy of the coulomb potential is -∞.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
  • #6
The minimum potential is just a lower bound for the binding energy - and you would need particles of "infinite" mass to approach this value. The real nucleons will form some (3-dimensional) wave-function similar to the electron, and have an energy corresponding to a solution of the Schrödinger equation (ignoring relativistic effects).
 

1. What is binding energy?

Binding energy is the amount of energy required to break apart the nucleus of an atom into its individual protons and neutrons. This energy is related to the strong nuclear force, which holds the nucleus together.

2. Why is binding energy important?

Binding energy is important because it is a measure of the stability of an atom's nucleus. Atoms with higher binding energy are more stable and less likely to undergo nuclear reactions. It is also a key factor in nuclear power and weapons.

3. What is deuterium?

Deuterium is a naturally occurring isotope of hydrogen. It has one proton and one neutron in its nucleus, unlike the more common form of hydrogen which has no neutrons. Deuterium is often used in nuclear reactors and fusion reactions.

4. How is deuterium's binding energy related to its stability?

Deuterium has a very high binding energy of 1 MeV (million electron volts), which makes it one of the most stable isotopes. This high binding energy is due to the strong nuclear force between the proton and neutron in its nucleus. This stability makes deuterium a key component in many nuclear reactions.

5. Why does deuterium have exactly 1 MeV of binding energy?

The exact value of deuterium's binding energy is a result of the balance between the attractive strong nuclear force and the repulsive electrostatic force between the positively charged protons in the nucleus. The 1 MeV value is a result of the specific mass and charge of the proton and neutron in deuterium's nucleus.

Similar threads

  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
2
Views
607
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
28
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
2
Views
9K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
2K
Back
Top