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Questions tagged [binding-energy]

Please use binding energy in the context of the atomic scale and/or atomic systems. This can be used in nuclear reactions.

Binding energy is the energy required to split a whole system into multiple parts. At the atomic level the atomic binding energy of the atom derives from electromagnetic interaction and is the energy required to split the atom into loose electrons and a nucleus. Classically, a bound system has less mass than its unbound constituents. For systems with a high binding energy, the unbinding of a system results in a release of heat or light to account for the missing mass (due to Einstein's equation, $E = mc^2$.

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Why do fusion and fission both release energy?

I only have high school physics knowledge, but here is my understanding: Fusion: 2 atoms come together to form a new atom. This process releases the energy keeping them apart, and is very energetic. Like the sun! Fission: Something fast (like an…
user230910
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Why doesn't a nucleus-like body made up of just neutrons exist?

We know that neutrons exert short ranged nuclear forces over other nucleons in a nucleus, and these forces are only attractive in nature. Also this force is universal and doesn't differentiate between charged or uncharged bodies. So why doesn't a…
Mehul
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Why can atoms only gain or lose electrons and not protons?

I know that an object can become net negative or net positive by losing or gaining electrons, and having more or fewer protons than electrons but why can't protons be transferred too?
user17886134
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Is (rest) mass quantized?

I learned today in class that photons and light are quantized. I also remember that electric charge is quantized as well. I was thinking about these implications, and I was wondering if (rest) mass was similarly quantized. That is, if we describe…
Justin L.
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Why do nuclei decay so fast and slow?

Why do nuclei like Oganesson (also known as Ununoctium, this is the 118th element on the periodic table) decay in about 5 milliseconds? This is weird that they decay. In comparison, why do elements like uranium take about 200,000 years to decay, or…
science error
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Why is the nucleus of an Iron atom so stable?

Lighter nuclei liberate energy when undergoing fusion, heavier nuclei when undergoing fission. What is it about the nucleus of an Iron atom that makes it so stable? Alternatively: Iron has the greatest nuclear binding energy - but why?
martin clayton
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Why is iron the peak of the binding energy per nucleon curve?

If Nickel-62 and Iron-58 have more binding energy per nucleon than Iron-56 does, then why is iron-56 shown as the peak of the binding energy per nucleon curve? Also, does adding neutrons always make the atom more stable because it will increase the…
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How is Alpha Radiation possible?

Alpha radiation would seem to occur when a pair of protons and neutrons are magically plucked from the amorphous (i.e. having no particular structure) nucleus of a heavier atom. Some of the problems associated with this approach, but which are…
Excentrix
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Do chemical bonds have mass?

When an exothermic reaction occurs, the energy in the chemical bonds of the reactants is partially transferred to the chemical bonds of the products. The remaining energy is released as heat. For example: $$\mathrm{N_2 + 3H_2 \to 2NH_3} \qquad…
Chinmay Kanchi
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Why can't hydrogen and helium fuse?

In the hearts of stars, hydrogen atoms fuse together to make helium. After the hydrogen in the core is depleted, the star changes state and conditions at the heart of the star make it possible for helium atoms to fuse together. There are parts of a…
usernumber
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Microscopically, are all collisions really elastic collisions?

I teach grade 12 physics and am about to introduce collisions. I am explaining that in elastic collisions, kinetic energy is conserved and in inelastic collisions, kinetic energy is not conserved. The kinetic energy in inelastic collisions can be…
Morphyl
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How does rest mass become energy?

I know that there's a difference between relativistic and rest mass. Relativistic mass is "acquired" when an object is moving at speeds comparable to the speed of light. Rest mass is the inherent mass that something has regardless of the speed its…
QEntanglement
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Why is helium-4 the only nuclide with a negative nucleon binding energy?

He-4 is very unusual as it’s the only nuclide that does not accept another nucleon. In other words, even if you force a proton or a neutron into He-4, it will be kicked out immediately. If you irradiate liquid helium with neutrons, it will cool the…
哲煜黄
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Why are alpha particles such a prominent form of radiation and not other types of nucleon arrangement?

It is said in many textbooks that alpha decay involves emitting alpha particles, which are very stable. Indeed, the binding energy (~28.3 MeV) is higher than for $Z$-neighboring stable isotopes. But the binding energy is lower than, for example,…
Yuval
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Why is the mass of a Hydrogen atom lower than the sum of masses its parts?

I understand that when the electron and proton are arranged to form a hydrogen atom, the potential energy of the system is lower than when separated. As a result, according to mass-energy equivalence, the mass of the hydrogen atom is lower. However,…
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