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jumbogala
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Homework Statement
This is not really a homework question -just something I realized I don't understand. I am confused about binding energy of a nucleus. I understand that the definition of binding energy is the energy required to completely separate the protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Let's say a nucleus of some kind has a binding energy of 10 eV. That means I will have to input 10 eV to separate the parts of the nucleus.
However, does this mean that the nucleus actually has 10 eV stored in it? For example, I can measure how much kinetic energy a moving object has or contains. Does binding energy work the same way? Is the binding energy actually the amount of energy the nucleus contains?
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
When you add energy to a nucleus to overcome the binding energy, are you giving the individual protons and neutrons more potential energy as they separate? I think so (not 100% sure though).
So when the nucleus is all bound together, it should have zero potential energy. So I don't think binding energy is something the nucleus actually has... it seems to be the nucleus is in a zero-energy state before it is separated. This seems not quite right though... Thanks in advance!