Nuclear binding energy
The key idea
Binding energy is the energy required to separate a nucleus into its constituent nucleons. It is related to the nucleus’s mass defect through E = Δmc².
Why it matters
Binding energy per nucleon helps explain why both fusion of light nuclei and fission of very heavy nuclei can release energy.
A picture to remember
Binding energy per nucleon helps explain why both fusion of light nuclei and fission of very heavy nuclei can release energy.