Is Binding Energy Equal to the Strong Nuclear Force?

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SUMMARY

The binding energy of a nucleus is defined as the work required to separate it into its constituent protons and neutrons. While the strong nuclear force is responsible for holding the nucleus together, it is not accurate to equate binding energy directly with the energy of the strong nuclear force, as binding energy also accounts for electrostatic repulsion between protons, especially in heavy nuclei. Additionally, the mass of electrons is generally negligible in binding energy calculations due to their light weight and the conservation of charge during nuclear processes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear physics concepts, specifically binding energy
  • Familiarity with the strong nuclear force and its role in atomic structure
  • Knowledge of electrostatic forces and their impact on nuclear stability
  • Basic principles of mass-energy equivalence in nuclear reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between binding energy and strong nuclear force in various isotopes
  • Study the effects of electrostatic repulsion in heavy nuclei
  • Learn about mass-energy equivalence and its application in nuclear physics
  • Explore different methods for calculating binding energy, including electron mass considerations
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in nuclear physics, physicists focusing on atomic structure, and anyone interested in the fundamental forces governing nuclear stability.

Davidmb19
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Homework Statement


I have two questions.
1.The definition of binding energy is the work needed to split the nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons. The strong nuclear force keeps the nucleus together hence is it right for me to say the binding energy is equal to the energy of the strong nuclear force? If that makes sense?
2) When calculating binding energy do we take the electrons mass into account?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


I'm my head I'm thinking that binding energy and strong nuclear force are the same thing; another definition of binding energy is the energy that keeps the nucleus together. This is implied from the first definition I gave above.
 
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Davidmb19 said:

Homework Statement


I have two questions.
1.The definition of binding energy is the work needed to split the nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons. The strong nuclear force keeps the nucleus together hence is it right for me to say the binding energy is equal to the energy of the strong nuclear force? If that makes sense?
2) When calculating binding energy do we take the electrons mass into account?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


I'm my head I'm thinking that binding energy and strong nuclear force are the same thing; another definition of binding energy is the energy that keeps the nucleus together. This is implied from the first definition I gave above.

Binding force should also include electrostatic repulsion between protons. In heavy nuclei this is important. The strong force is short range, electromagnetic forces are long range. And the electron mass isn't important because i) the are very light and ii) with charge conservation there's the same number before the decay as after.
 
Dick said:
Binding force should also include electrostatic repulsion between protons. In heavy nuclei this is important. The strong force is short range, electromagnetic forces are long range. And the electron mass isn't important because i) the are very light and ii) with charge conservation there's the same number before the decay as after.

Thank you Sir. In some worked examples I see that they take the mass of the electrons into account and some do not. So I just wanted to confirm.
Thank you very much.
 

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