# Summarizing Binding Energy

## Summary

• The binding energy (BE) of a nucleus is the energy needed to separate it into individual protons and neutrons. In terms of atomic masses,

$$\text{BE}=\{[\text{Zm}({}^{1}\text{H})+{\text{Nm}}_{n}]-m({}^{A}\text{X})\}{c}^{2},$$

where $$m({}^{1}\text{H})$$ is the mass of a hydrogen atom, $$m({}^{A}\text{X})$$ is the atomic mass of the nuclide, and $${m}_{n}$$ is the mass of a neutron. Patterns in the binding energy per nucleon, $$\text{BE}/A$$, reveal details of the nuclear force. The larger the $$\text{BE}/A$$, the more stable the nucleus.

## Glossary

### binding energy

the energy needed to separate nucleus into individual protons and neutrons

### binding energy per nucleon

the binding energy calculated per nucleon; it reveals the details of the nuclear force—larger the $$\text{BE}/A$$, the more stable the nucleus

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