Binding energy and endothermic reactions

In summary, the binding energy of a nucleus is the difference between the rest energy of the individual particles and the rest energy of the nucleus itself. Fusion reactions are exoergic when the binding energy of the product is greater than the binding energy of the original nuclei. This means that the products have less energy (more tightly bound) and the difference in energy is released, making it an exothermic reaction.
  • #1
quietrain
655
2
from masteringphyics.com,

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the binding energy of a nucleus is defined as the difference between the rest energy that the individual particles would have if they were not bound in a nucleus and the rest energy of the nucleus itself. So, stated another way, fusion reactions are exoergic if the binding energy of the product is greater than the binding energy of the original nuclei.
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i don't understand. exoergic means giving off energy, which means its exothermic reaction.
so for exothermic reaction, the binding energy of the product has to be greater than that of reactants?

but i thought that is for endothermic reactions? because you need to supply energy for the required binding energy in your products, which is higher than reactants?

and issn't exothermic reaction means giving off energy, so shouldn't the energy of the products be less than the reactants since the energy is given off?
 
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  • #2
The binding energy is subtracted from the sum of the component masses to give the mass of the nucleus.
 
  • #3
Think of binding energy as a negative energy, so a greater binding energy in the products means that the products have less energy (more tightly bound) and that difference in energy is the source of the energy released.
 
  • #4
OH .. i see thanks!
 
  • #5


can you please clarify?

Dear user,

Thank you for your question. Allow me to explain further about binding energy and its relation to endothermic and exothermic reactions.

Firstly, binding energy is the energy required to break apart a nucleus into its individual particles. This energy is usually expressed in terms of the mass defect, which is the difference between the mass of the nucleus and the sum of the masses of its individual particles. This mass defect is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2.

Now, let's talk about endothermic and exothermic reactions. Endothermic reactions are those where energy is absorbed or taken in, while exothermic reactions are those where energy is released. In both types of reactions, the total energy of the products is always less than the total energy of the reactants. However, in endothermic reactions, the energy of the products is still higher than the energy of the reactants. This is because the energy released in exothermic reactions is not equal to the binding energy, but rather the difference between the binding energies of the products and reactants.

In the given statement, it is mentioned that fusion reactions are exoergic if the binding energy of the product is greater than the binding energy of the original nuclei. This means that in fusion reactions, the energy released is greater than the energy required to break apart the nuclei. In other words, the binding energy of the product is greater than the binding energy of the reactants. This is why fusion reactions are considered exothermic.

I hope this explanation helps clarify any confusion. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you.
 

1. What is binding energy?

Binding energy is the amount of energy required to break apart a nucleus or a molecule into its individual components. It is also known as the energy of dissociation.

2. What is an endothermic reaction?

An endothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that absorbs heat from its surroundings, resulting in a decrease in temperature. This type of reaction requires an input of energy in order to proceed.

3. How is binding energy related to endothermic reactions?

Binding energy is directly related to endothermic reactions as it is the energy needed to break the bonds between atoms or molecules in order for a reaction to take place. In endothermic reactions, the input of energy is used to overcome the binding energy and break the bonds.

4. Can binding energy be measured?

Yes, binding energy can be measured using a variety of methods such as mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray crystallography. These techniques allow scientists to determine the amount of energy required to break the bonds between molecules.

5. What are some real-world examples of endothermic reactions?

Some examples of endothermic reactions include photosynthesis, melting of ice, and evaporation of water. In each of these processes, energy is absorbed from the surroundings in order for the reaction to occur.

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