Chemistry class 12th Nuclear Binding energy

Nuclear Binding Energy: Complete Explanation




Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to completely separate a nucleus into its individual

protons and

neutrons. It is also the energy released when nucleons come together to form a nucleus. This

energy holds the

nucleus together, overcoming the repulsive electrostatic force between protons.



### Mass-Energy Equivalence (Einstein's Equation)

The concept of nuclear binding energy is closely related to Einstein's equation:

E = mc^2

where mass and energy are interchangeable. When nucleons form a nucleus, some mass is lost

and converted into

binding energy. This lost mass is called the mass defect.



### Mass Defect and Binding Energy Calculation

Mass defect (Deltam) is given by:

Deltam = (total mass of protons and neutrons) - (mass of the nucleus)



The binding energy (E_b) is then calculated as:

E_b = Deltam x c^2



where:

- E_b = nuclear binding energy (Joules or MeV)

- Deltam = mass defect (kg or atomic mass units, u)

- c = speed of light (3 x 10^8 m/s)