PHYS 3310 Module 12.2

Nuclear Binding Energy

Recommended Reading

12.2 Nuclear Binding Energy

Learning Objectives

  • Calculate the mass defect and binding energy for a wide range of nuclei
  • Use a graph of binding energy per nucleon (BEN) versus mass number (𝐴) graph to assess the relative stability of a nucleus
  • Compare the binding energy of a nucleon in a nucleus to the ionization energy of an electron in an atom
atomic-masses-kraneDownload

Practice!

Practice 12.2.1
How much energy is required to split a 52Cr atom of mass 51.940509 u into two identical 26Mg atoms? The mass of this isotope of magnesium is 25.98259 u.
A. 22.98 MeV 
B. 14.20 MeV 
C. 0.0247 MeV
D. 0.6936 MeV
E. 0.1562 MeV
Check your answer: A. 22.98 MeV