Nuclear Chemistry: Explaining Binding Energy and Mass Defect

In summary, when nucleons combine, they release energy due to the potential energy of the bound system being converted to mass through E=mc2. This potential energy is caused by the strong nuclear force for nucleons and the color and electromagnetic forces for quarks. This is similar to the Moon-Earth system, where the bound system has less mass than the individual masses of the two objects when they are far apart.
  • #1
spizma
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I'm doing a nuclear chemistry project right now, and I am able to solve all of the problems involving binding energy and mass defect, however I have one conceptual question. Why is it that when the nucleons combine with each other they let off energy? At first I thought it was their kinetic energy being let off because they're being held in place by the strong nuclear force, but that seems wrong for some reason. My book doesn't go into any detail about this, can someone try explaining it? Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
Hi,

it is not kinetic energy, it is potential energy. The same holds for any kind of bound system, nuclear, electromagnetic, gravitational.

Take the Moon-Earth system for instance. In principle, the mass of the bound system has less mass than the sum of the masses of the Earth and the Moon measured independantly of each other when far away apart in empty vacuum. Of course, one cannot actually perform such an experiment. But the mass defect merely comes from E=mc2 and the potential energy.
 
  • #3
In the case of subatomic particles, what kind of potential energy is it?
 
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  • #4
For nucleons : The Strong Nuclear force (Residual color force)

For quarks: The Color force and EM force.

etc.
 

1. What is nuclear chemistry?

Nuclear chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the study of the atomic nucleus, its composition, and the changes that occur within it. It involves the study of nuclear reactions, nuclear properties, and the ways in which nuclear energy can be harnessed.

2. What is binding energy?

Binding energy is the amount of energy required to hold the nucleus of an atom together. In other words, it is the amount of energy that is released when a nucleus is formed from its individual protons and neutrons. This energy is responsible for the stability of the nucleus.

3. What is mass defect?

Mass defect is the difference between the mass of an atom's nucleus and the sum of the masses of its individual protons and neutrons. This difference is caused by the conversion of some of the mass into energy during nuclear reactions. The energy released is known as binding energy.

4. How is binding energy related to mass defect?

Binding energy and mass defect are directly related. As the binding energy increases, the mass defect also increases. This means that more energy is required to hold the nucleus together, resulting in a greater difference between the mass of the nucleus and the sum of its individual particles.

5. What are the practical applications of nuclear chemistry?

Nuclear chemistry has many practical applications, including the production of nuclear energy, the development of nuclear weapons, and the use of radioactive isotopes in medicine and industry. It is also used in environmental studies, such as tracking pollutants and studying climate change. Additionally, nuclear chemistry plays a crucial role in research and development for new technologies and materials.

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