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.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. G

    How does Einstein's equation account for changes in mass during nuclear bonding?

    I understand what nuclear binding energy is and its importance in nuclear weaponry an the fueling of stars, but why, in other types of bonds, such as chemical bonds, Einstein's equation e=mc2 is not applied and the bonding of two substances is not assumed to have energy as mass? But when an...
  2. G

    Nuclear Binding Energy Confusion

    I read that nuclear binding energy is the energy required to separate a nucleus into its comprising nucleons. Why then is mass defect calculated from this? How is the nuclear binding energy graph used to calculate energy released from fusion? Please explain in layman's terms, if you could...
  3. H

    Binding Energy of the hydrogenic acceptor state in Silicon?

    Homework Statement Find the theoretical binding energy of the hydrogenic acceptor state in Si (eg, as produced by Aluminum impurities), using hole mass 0.39 and permittivity 11.8. Homework Equations E_b = \frac{k_c e^2}{2a_0} \\ a_0 = \frac{\hbar ^2}{mk_c e^2} The Attempt at a...
  4. A

    Calculating Binding Energy for a Neutron System with Gravitational Forces

    Homework Statement Consider a system of two neutrons interacting only through gravitational attractive forces. Find the binding energy of this "quantum atom" (in eV) and the characteristic size of the ground state configuration. Is there any chance to find such a system in reality...
  5. C

    Difference between Binding Energy and Adsorption Energy

    Hi, all, I find that binding energy (Van der Waals) are different from Adsorption Energy determined let's say from desorption spectroscopy. If approaching from 3/2kT = eV -> then at room temperature, it's approximately 25meV. So, for adsorption to occur at room temperature, the binding...
  6. C

    Total Angular Momentum and Binding Energy

    Why, for states with angular momentum l >0, do states with smaller total angular momentum J have a higher binding energy? For example, why does the 2p1/2 state have a higher binding energy than the 2p3/2 state? If the 2p orbital is filled (2p6), wouldn't Hund's third rule indicate that the...
  7. HakimPhilo

    How the nuclear binding energy gives mass to the nucleus?

    Hello everybody! :wink: I have some difficulties concerning the concept of nuclear binding energy. First, look at this example: http://www.freeimagehosting.net/newuploads/jtefo.png In the first case, the two protons have big energy. But this energy is not changing it's weight. And in the...
  8. J

    Where Do the Two Electrons Go During Alpha Decay?

    To calculate the binding energy released when alpha decay converts radium 226, with atomic mass of 226.025, into radon 222, with atomic mass 222.01757, I understand that we subtract the atomic mass of radium 226 from the sum of the atomic masses of the radon 222 and the alpha particle, which is...
  9. A

    Archived Binding energy and deuterium nucleus

    Homework Statement a) Calculate the average binding energy per nucleon in the deuterium nucleus. b) The energy that binds an orbiting electron to the hydrogen nucleus is 13.4eV. Calculate the ratio of the binding energy per nucleon to the binding energy per electron in deuterium. Which...
  10. M

    Mass defect and binding energy help

    I don't know if I completely understand mass defect and binding energy so I will write what I understand and hopefully you can explain any misunderstandings I have. I know what mass defect is and that I understand that we need the strong nuclear force to keep the nucleus together etc. but I...
  11. S

    Hydroxl Ion radius, binding energy and vibrational frequency

    Homework Statement The Hydroxl Ion (OH-) may be considered as a bound state of O2- and a proton. Treating the O2- ion as a nucleus of charge +8 with the electrons homogeneously distributed in a sphere of radius b, determine approximately the position of the proton, the hydroxl binding energy...
  12. A

    Average Binding energy per Nucleon

    What is the Average/mean binding energy per nucleon of the whole periodic table/of all the elements, considering the most naturally abundant isotopes of each element? I tried googling it a couple of times but i could not arrive at a satisfactory answer.
  13. S

    Nuclear Binding Energy: Exploring the Basics

    Hey, I'm having a hard time trying to understand what nuclear binding energy really means. In most of the introductory texts I have, they say some of the mass of the nucleus appears as binding energy (mass defect). According to the definition, shouldn't it just be the work done by strong...
  14. B

    What is the minimum energy required to escape a gravitational field?

    Hello, I am currently reading about the conception of a general expression for gravitational potential energy. I understand that we have to use methods of calculus to generate a general expression of gravitational potential energy, because when considering alterations to the configuration of an...
  15. H

    Nuclear Binding Energy (wikipedia is confusing)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_binding_energy What is nuclear binding energy ? Here are two possible answers according to the Wikipedia page : 1.Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into its component parts. 2.Nuclei are made up of protons and...
  16. K

    Unpacking Nuclear Fission: Understanding Binding Energy

    During nuclear fission a heavy nucleus of low binding energy splits into two middle mass nuclei with high binding energy ! From where does this energy suddenly come from ?? And why is the binding energy of heavy nuclei lesser than that of middle mass nuclei ??
  17. shounakbhatta

    Gravitation potential and gravitational binding energy

    Hello, The gravitational binding energy of a system is equal to the negative of the total gravitational potential energy. Is this given by the equation: U=-alphaGM^2/R where alpha=3/5 and the equation stands as: U=-3/5GM^2/R? Kindly correct me if I am wrong?
  18. H

    Converting binding energy of an element to joules

    Converting binding energy of an element to joules! The binding energy of Mg-24 is 198MeV. What is this value in Joules? Write your answer correct to three significant figures. MeV = megaelectron volt 1 megaelectron volt = 1.60217646 × 10-13 joules 198 megaelectron volts = 3.17230939 ×...
  19. M

    Calculating Binding Energy of Neutron Stars

    in general how to calculate binding energy of neutron star? in simple details, what tricks may be included in such a problem..
  20. L

    Electron and Proton Binding energy

    Homework Statement neglecting the electric potential energy, calculate the binding energy of the proton and the electron of a hydrogen atom from the following data: Radius of electron = 5.29 x 10^-11 m (circular orbital) Mass of electron = 9.11 x 10^-31 kg Mass of proton = 1.67 x 10^27 kg...
  21. L

    Gravitational potential energy, orbital speed, binding energy.

    Homework Statement a satellite having a mass of 1800 kg orbits the Earth at a distance of 6.3 x 10^5 m above the surface find the gravitational potential energy of the satellite while in orbit, the orbital speed and the binding satellite. The Attempt at a Solution gravitational potential...
  22. K

    Diffenent between binding energy and formation energy

    Dear friend: i'm a fresh man, some concepts puzzle me. As the title says, can anybody tell me what's the different between the binding energy and formation energy? Regards
  23. J

    Gravitational binding energy of some stuff

    Just interested.:wink: >GBE of the milky way? >GBE of the Virgo supercluster? >GBE of the sloan great wall?
  24. J

    Basic Nuclear Fusion question on Binding energy

    Hey guys, I'm getting a bit confused about nuclear fusion. I understand the basics of binding energy being the energy required to split the nucleons apart etc. and the fact that in nuclear fusion you are combining two particles e.g. (2 deuterium nuclei) with a lowish binding energy to form a...
  25. Z

    Which atoms have lower binding energies than iron?

    Homework Statement The problem is attached Homework Equations E=Delta{m}c2 The Attempt at a Solution Since I don't know the mass of any of the things they gave in the question, how do I calculate the mass defect and from there the binding energy per nucleon?
  26. H

    What is the total binding energy in MeV/c2 for N-14?

    Okay I'm taking an Individual Learning Course in Ontario for SPH4U and this is a Support question: How much energy would be required to remove one neutron from nitrogen-14 isotope, given these masses? a) N-14 isotope 14.0031 u b) N-13 isotope 13.0057 u Homework Equations Knowns...
  27. G

    Relation between binding energy and inertial mass

    This question has been bugging me for a while now. I roughly understand how the Higgs mechanism gives elementary particles their rest mass and I also understand that gravity couples to all forms of energy, including binding energy in a nucleus or atom. I also know most of the mass of a system...
  28. S

    Nuclear and elctronic binding energy

    "For almost all nuclei, the binding energy/nucleon is roughly the same. Hence the total binding energy of a nucleus is roughly proportional to the number A of the constituents. Every constituent of the nucleus is more or less equally strongly bound unlike electrons in atoms where the mean...
  29. G

    Binding energy of 2p electron in Lithium

    Homework Statement Explain why the 2p state for Lithium is close to the n=2 state for Hydrogen and why the 2s state is much higher. (5.4eV) The Attempt at a Solution I think that for 2p state (n=2, l=1) we can model (for some reason) the Lithium valence electron like the electron...
  30. Z

    Calculate binding energy & compare to Electrostatic Repulsion

    Homework Statement 4He2 has size of ~ 2 x 10^-15 m and a mass of 4.0015u. Calculate the binding energy of this nucleus, and compare it to the electrostatic repulsion of its constituents. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution For the first part I have calculated...
  31. H

    Why does the nuclear binding energy curve rise and fall?

    If the total nuclear binding energy of a nucleus increases whenever the number of nucleons increase, why does the nuclear binding energy curve rise and then fall? Don't protons and neutrons 'bring in' the same amount of binding energy every time one of them is added? Please explain. In addition...
  32. J

    What is the role of binding energy in fission and fusion reactions?

    Homework Statement What exactly is binding energy? why is this energy RELEASED during fission / fusion Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution when two light nucleons fuse they combine to form a heavier nucleon whose mass is less than the sum of the two separate nucleons. This...
  33. mrspeedybob

    Where does binding energy, or internal kinetic energy exist?

    If I have 2 electricly charged bodies orbiting one another, the binding energy must contribute to the gravitation of the system. Their reletive KE must also. So the total gravitational mass of the system is greater then the sum of the indivual objects. If I used a laser and gravitational lensing...
  34. M

    How to find the binding energy of a photon?

    An X-ray photon of wavelength 0.940 nm strikes a surface. The emitted electron has a kinetic energy of 947 eV. What is the binding energy of the electron in kJ/mol? What I did: (947 eV)(1.602E-19 J)/1 eV = 1.52E-16 J(6.626E-34 J.s)(3.0E8 m/s)/.940 nm (10^-9m/1 nm) = 2.11E-16 J 2.11E-16 J -...
  35. L

    Nuclear Binding Energy: Equal Proton-Neutron Ratio

    Revered Members, For Helium, Beryllium,Carbon,Oxygen and Neon, the Binding Energy per nucleon is more as evident from the sharp peaks observed in the graph plotted between BE and Mass number. These elements have equal number of protons and neutrons. When there is an inequality between proton...
  36. V

    NaCl Binding Energy in Water: Calculation & Analysis

    Homework Statement It is well known that common salt (NaCl) is easily dissolved in water. In the solution Na and Cl atoms are present as positive and negative ("solvated") ions. Show that, due to the high dielectric constant of water and the resulting screening of the Coulomb potential, the...
  37. L

    Why is the binding energy per nucleon lower for lighter nuclei?

    From the graph plotted between Mass Number and Binding Energy per Nucleon, we infer the BE/A is stable for mass numbers between 20 and 60 (approximately) and decreases for A>60. Similarly the BE/A is very less for lighter nuclei, say, Helium. Nuclear forces are short range forces. So it is...
  38. P

    How Is Binding Energy Calculated for Lithium-6 Nuclei?

    Homework Statement How do I find the binding energy for the nuclei of Lithium 6. N=Z=3, atomic mass=6.015 u, binding energy per nucleon= 5.33 MeV The equation I'm using is : B(N,Z)=Z*m(0,1)*c^2+N*(mass of n)*c^2-m(N,Z)*c^2. B(N,Z)=3*(1.00783u*1.66E-27kg)*(3E8...
  39. D

    Molar binding energy of uranium-235 nuclei

    Homework Statement What is the molar binding energy of uranium 235 nuclei? Givem: The mass of 1 uranium nuecli is 235.0439u Homework Equations E=Δmc^2 The Attempt at a Solution mass of nucleons: m=92P+143n=236.90814u mass of nucleus: m=234.99343u...
  40. D

    How Do You Calculate Binding Energy Per Nucleon for Helium-4?

    Homework Statement Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for 4He. Mass is 4.0026u Homework Equations E=Δmc^2 The Attempt at a Solution This is my plan of attack, first find the Δm. Mnucleon-Mnucleus [Are these terms right? Nucleon - Nucleus ?] Δm=4.0026u-(2p+2n)=-0.02928u...
  41. D

    Nuclear Physics Find molar binding energy

    Homework Statement What is the molar binding energy of the carbon 12 nuclei? Homework Equations e=mc2 The Attempt at a Solution proton mass = 1.00728u neutron mass: 1.00866u before: 6p+6n = 12.09564u after: carbon 12 = 12u delta m = 0.009564u E=mc2...
  42. P

    What is the binding energy in NaCl?

    Homework Statement Each Na atom transfers 1/6 of an electron, on average, to each Cl atom. Estimate the binidng energy of the ionic bonds in NaCl. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution The answer says to use k*q1*q2 / r, where k is the electric constant, q1 and q2 are the...
  43. D

    Answer: Calculating Lattice Binding Energy of MgO Crystal

    Homework Statement In a crystal lattice of MgO, the Mg is surrounded by 6 Oxygen atoms as shown. Assume that the ions all behave as point charges. If the system behaves as though there were separate interactions between Mg and each of the Oxygen ions what is the total binding energy of...
  44. E

    Binding energy of a single C-C covalent bond

    "Consider a diamond crystal containing 1 mole of carbon (6.022e23)atoms. It is found that the energy required to separate all the C atoms from each other to an infinite distance apart is 710kJ. ?Binding Energy." I really have no idea where to start. I've looked online for other things but...
  45. K

    Why does decay increase Binding energy ?

    Can someone explain this excerpt from my textbook please? "IF nucleus A was made from its constituents (Binding energy) and it released 400MeV, but making nucleus B(product) releases 405MeV. Therefore if A changes to B, 5 MeV of energy must be released. This excess energy is given to the...
  46. P

    Stability of Products: Nuclear binding energy vs Enthelpy

    I want to get my head around this... Why is that in nuclear fusion, the formed nucleus is more stable because its nuclear binding energy/nucleon is HIGHER than the sum of its reactants But in general chemical reactions products are more stable if their enthalpy is LOWER than the sum of...
  47. B

    To test exciton binding energy

    Hi, I want to test exciton binding energy of some particles, what should i do ?
  48. D

    Solving the Mystery of X Nucleus Binding Energy

    Homework Statement I have a multichoice past exam that does not come with answers. Please help with the following: The binding energy of the X nucleus is 38.4MeV. Which of the following statements is FALSE? a) The binding energy of 38.4MeV represents the mass deficit between the...
  49. D

    Calculating the Mass of an Electron

    I'm just looking over an example in my textbook. The example is working with Helium-4. It lists the mass of He (4.002 603u) and then the mass e^- as 0.000 548u. How did they get the mass of e^-?
  50. D

    Calculating Average Binding Energy per Nucleon in Deuterium

    Homework Statement Calculate the average binding energy per nucleon in the deuterium nucleus. Homework Equations Average binding energy= total binding energy/mass number The Attempt at a Solution Would i first have to find the mass of the nucleus and then the difference in mass? My...
Back
Top