Binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass number

Introduction

Everything we observe around us has a binding force and energy that binds it together. The nucleus, too, consists of protons and electrons, which are strongly bound by energy. 

Binding energy can be defined as the least amount of energy needed to remove a neutron, proton, or electron from the nucleus. For example, a system comprises various subatomic particles. Now, the least magnitude of energy we need to remove a single particle is the binding energy. This article will study the definition, formula, and explanation of binding energy and binding energy curve.

What is Nuclear Binding Energy?

The amount of energy required to detach a particle from a system of particles or disperse all of the system’s particles is known as binding energy. In other words, Nuclear Binding Energy is the specific amount of energy required to split the nucleus of an atom into different components. This form of energy is used to decide the favourable process, i.e., fission or fusion. 

Exoergic Reactions

According to thermodynamics, an exergonic reaction is when the change in free energy is negative. If the system is closed and the beginning and final temperatures are the same, this implies a spontaneous reaction. The Gibbs free energy is used for processes in a closed system at constant pressure and temperature. In contrast, the Helmholtz energy is used for constant volume and temperature activities. According to the second law of thermodynamics, any reaction that occurs at a constant temperature without the addition of electrical or photon energy is exergonic. Cellular respiration is an example.

Endoergic Reactions

The endergonic reaction is the chemical process in which standard change in free energy is positive. The reaction requires an additional drive force to complete. According to layman’s assumption, the entire quantity of the useful energy is negative; hence the overall energy is negative. See exergonic reaction for the overall improvement in net result. Alternatively, to put it is that for the reaction to occur, energy from the environment must be absorbed into the functioning system.

What is the different type of binding energy?

• Electron Binding Energy or Ionisation Energy
• Atomic Binding Energy
• Nuclear Binding Energy

What are Binding energy and binding energy per nucleon?

The nuclear binding energy is the lowest amount of energy required to break down or disassemble an atom’s nucleus into subatomic particles. The term nucleon refers to the subatomic particles that make up the nucleus, such as protons and neutrons.

The difference between the nuclear attraction and the disruptive energy of the electric force is equivalent to the total binding energy linked with a certain nucleus. It’s worth noting that as the number of nucleons in the nucleus grows, so does the net binding energy per nucleon. As a result, the atomic number affects the net binding energy per nucleon.

Relationship between binding energy and mass number

The binding energy per nucleon is calculated by dividing binding energy by the mass number of the nucleus and is a measure of the nucleus’ stability. For lighter nuclides, binding energy per nucleon is lower, and it rises with the mass number. As a result, as the mass number increases, binding energy per nucleon falls.

Conclusion

We have read about binding energy, its types, and exoergic and endoergic reactions in the above topic. We learned that the minimal amount of energy required to remove a particle from the system of a particle is known as binding energy. It’s the energy utilised to break down a system of particles into single units. Binding energy is mostly studied in atomic physics, chemistry, and condensed matter physics. The phrase binding energy describes the separation energy.

Binding energy is required to break down the subatomic particles in the atomic nuclei or an atom’s nucleus into neutrons and protons’ constituents, generally known as nucleons. Because each nucleus needs net energy to be isolated into each neutron and proton, the binding energy of nuclei is positive.