Nuclear Binding Energy (wikipedia is confusing)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of nuclear binding energy, exploring its definitions and implications. Participants examine two definitions from Wikipedia and seek to clarify their relationship and the underlying forces involved, including the strong nuclear force and electrical repulsion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that both definitions of nuclear binding energy from Wikipedia represent the same underlying concept.
  • One participant explains that the energy of a bound nucleus is less than that of individual nucleons due to lower potential energy, which can be quantified using the equation ##E=mc^2##.
  • A question is raised about whether the lowering of potential energy is due to the strong nuclear force acting between nucleons.
  • Another participant notes that the repulsive electrical force also plays a role in binding energy, indicating that it reduces the overall binding energy compared to a scenario where only the nuclear force is considered.
  • There is a suggestion to rephrase the contribution of the electrical force to clarify its negative impact on binding energy.
  • A participant acknowledges the correction regarding the phrasing of the electrical force's contribution to binding energy.
  • One participant concludes that both definitions are correct, suggesting that the first definition is more modern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that both definitions of nuclear binding energy are valid, though there is some debate about the phrasing and implications of the forces involved. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved regarding the clarity of the definitions and the roles of different forces.

Contextual Notes

There are nuances in the definitions and the roles of the strong nuclear force and electrical repulsion that are not fully resolved. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of how these forces interact and contribute to binding energy.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_binding_energy

What is nuclear binding energy ?

Here are two possible answers according to the Wikipedia page :
1.Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into its component parts.
2.Nuclei are made up of protons and neutron, but the mass of a nucleus is always less than the sum of the individual masses of the protons and neutrons which constitute it. The difference is a measure of the nuclear binding energy which holds the nucleus together.

Which one is it ?
Or
are both of them trying to tell the same thing ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
They are the same thing. The energy of a nucleus is less than the total energy of the individual nucleons, since the bound nucleus has lower potential energy. This energy difference is measurable as a difference in rest mass via ##E=mc^2##. If you want to split the nucleus apart, you need to add in enough energy to make up the difference.
 
Am I correct in thinking that this lowering of potential energy is caused by the strong nuclear force between any two nucleons ?
 
The (repulsive) electrical force also contributes to the binding energy. The binding energy is smaller than it would be if the nuclear force were the only one acting. This is what makes very heavy nuclei unstable: the electrical repulsion eventually overcomes the attraction of the nuclear force, when the number of protons is large enough.
 
jtbell said:
The (repulsive) electrical force also contributes to the binding energy. The binding energy is smaller than it would be if the nuclear force were the only one acting.

It would probably be less confusing to phrase that as, "The (repulsive) electrical force also detracts from the binding energy."
 
Correction accepted. :smile:

I tend to think of "contribute" as being either positive or negative, but I can see this might be confusing.
 
I understand, thank you

In summary both definitions are correct , its just that this one
Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into its component parts.

is more modern (new)
 

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