Binding Energy: Exploring How Nucleons Become Heavier

[Jas]

So we have a nucleus. Let's say its a helium nucleus.

If I want to split this nucleus into its constituent nucleons, I must do work against the strong force which is holding it together. Now that I have done the work, the particles are no longer bound. I have done work against the strong force; where on Earth does the extra energy/mass come from which results in the constituent nucleons being heavier than the nucleus? The energy that was put into the system to separate the nucleons was dissipated in doing work against the force?

 

[Bystander]

The energy that was put into the system to separate the nucleons was dissipated in doing work against the force?

Which way are you going? Up? Or, down hill?

 

[Khashishi]

The energy that was put into the system to separate the nucleons was dissipated in doing work against the force?

Energy isn't dissipated. The energy is fully recoverable by binding them back together. Energy is conserved.

 

[Jas]

Energy isn't dissipated. The energy is fully recoverable by binding them back together. Energy is conserved.

So could you say that:

the energy that was put into seperating the nucleons actually adds to the mass of the individual nucleons, which is the reason as to why they are heavier as constituents?

 

[Khashishi]

Yes.

 

[jtbell]

So could you say that:

the energy that was put into seperating the nucleons actually adds to the mass of the individual nucleons, which is the reason as to why they are heavier as constituents?

No, the masses of the individual nucleons do not depend on whether they are part of a bound nucleus or not.

The energy that goes into separating the nucleons increases the mass of the system of nucleons. The mass of a system of particles generally does not equal the sum of the masses of the individual particles.