Total Binding Energy: Determining Electron Count

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the total binding energy (TBE) of an atom, focusing on the role of electrons in the calculation and how to ascertain their count. The subject area includes concepts from atomic physics and nuclear binding energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to clarify the method for calculating TBE and questions how to determine the number of electrons in an atom, noting that previous examples used a single electron. Some participants suggest that the number of electrons in a neutral atom equals the number of protons, while others ponder whether to always assume neutrality in these calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the implications of assuming a neutral charge for atoms in TBE calculations. There is acknowledgment of the potential small contribution of electrons to the overall binding energy compared to nuclear binding energy, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

There is an implicit assumption that the calculations discussed pertain to neutral atoms, but this has not been explicitly confirmed in the discussion.

jools111
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When determining the total binding energy of an atom I understand the method to be as follows:

The total mass of all nucleons added together

minus

The total mass of the atom minus the mass of the electrons

My question is, how do you determine the number of electrons in an atom? All the questions I have done of this nature so far seem to be using one electron for the calculations. Thanks.
 
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The number of electrons in a neutral atom is the same as the number of protons in the nucleus.
 
So when calculating TBE, should I always assume that the atom has a neutral charge?
 
I would think so. The contribution of the electrons to the binding energy it probably small compared to the nuclear binding energy (I haven't calculated it myself in a long long time, so I don't recall the exact comparison.)
 
AEM said:
I would think so. The contribution of the electrons to the binding energy it probably small compared to the nuclear binding energy (I haven't calculated it myself in a long long time, so I don't recall the exact comparison.)

Ok. Thanks!
 

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