Binding energy & energy required to remove a nucleon

[desmond iking]

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 Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

the ans is 2.00MeV...
why not 1.00MeV ??

because eneryg required to remove a nucleon is binding energy/ nucleon number (A) [/B]

 

[andrevdh]

Deuterium consists of one proton and one neutron. Removing a nucleon from the nucleus effectively leaves a disassembled nucleus, that is the two nucleons exist separately. That means that you have to supply the total binding energy to disassemble the nucleus into its two parts. They will then have their usual mass when they are separated.