Photon+deuteron->p+n , E(photon)=?

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The minimal energy of a photon required to disassemble a deuteron into a proton and neutron is greater than the binding energy of 2.225 MeV due to conservation of momentum. While the binding energy represents the energy needed to unbind the nucleons, additional energy is necessary to provide kinetic energy to the resulting particles. The discussion clarifies that the energy of the photon must account for both breaking the deuteron and the kinetic energy of the products. The relationship between the energies can be expressed through momentum conservation equations. Understanding these principles resolves the initial confusion regarding the energy requirements for the reaction.
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[SOLVED] photon+deuteron-->p+n , E(photon)=?

Problem:
What is the minimal energy of photon for disassembling deuteron on proton and neutron (photon+d --> p+n)? By how much is that energy larger than energy of binding of deuteron? Binding energy of deuteron is E=2.225MeV, mass of deuteron is 1875.628MeV.


This means that m(d)-m(p)-m(n)=2.225MeV.
I don't understand why would do you need a photon of greater energy than 2.225MeV if that is the energy that binds proton and neutron together.
 
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Ene Dene said:
Problem:
What is the minimal energy of photon for disassembling deuteron on proton and neutron (photon+d --> p+n)? By how much is that energy larger than energy of binding of deuteron? Binding energy of deuteron is E=2.225MeV, mass of deuteron is 1875.628MeV.


This means that m(d)-m(p)-m(n)=2.225MeV.
I don't understand why would do you need a photon of greater energy than 2.225MeV if that is the energy that binds proton and neutron together.
Binding energy is not energy that binds nucleons, but rather it is the energy given off when a nucleon combines with another nucleon or nucleus, i.e. binding energy is actually the energy require to unbind a nucleon from the nucleus.

In the case of the deuteron, the energy required to unbind the neutron and proton is 2.225 MeV. That would be approximately the energy of a gamma-ray given off when a proton and neutron combine (neutron capture) to form a deuteron.
 
Astronuc said:
Binding energy is not energy that binds nucleons, but rather it is the energy given off when a nucleon combines with another nucleon or nucleus, i.e. binding energy is actually the energy require to unbind a nucleon from the nucleus.

In the case of the deuteron, the energy required to unbind the neutron and proton is 2.225 MeV. That would be approximately the energy of a gamma-ray given off when a proton and neutron combine (neutron capture) to form a deuteron.

But if Iunderstand correctly the OP, th equestion was ho wmuch above the binding energy must the photon have. And the OP was wondering about why some energy above the binding energy was required.

The answer is of course conservation of 4-momentum. Some of the photon energy goes into breaking apart the deuteron but some of it is needed to give some kinetic energy to the neutron and proton.
 
For a photon of energy p (with c=1),
p+M_d=\sqrt{(m_p+m_n)^2+p^2}.
Square and solve for p.
 
Astronuc said:
Binding energy is not energy that binds nucleons, but rather it is the energy given off when a nucleon combines with another nucleon or nucleus, i.e. binding energy is actually the energy require to unbind a nucleon from the nucleus.
Yes, I did think that these energies were the same, that's why I asked a question, why aren't they the same.
kdv said:
But if understand correctly the OP, th equestion was ho wmuch above the binding energy must the photon have. And the OP was wondering about why some energy above the binding energy was required.
Yes, you did understand correctly but I also wanted to know why is that so.
And here is why:
kdv said:
The answer is of course conservation of 4-momentum. Some of the photon energy goes into breaking apart the deuteron but some of it is needed to give some kinetic energy to the neutron and proton.
pam said:
For a photon of energy p (with c=1),
p+M_d=\sqrt{(m_p+m_n)^2+p^2}
Square and solve for p.

Thank you all, now I understand.
 
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