Atomic Binding Energy

The energy required to separate a particle from a bunch of particles or disperse all the bunch’s particles by applying force is called binding energy. This energy can disassemble a unit into its subunits. The binding energy is used for splitting the atomic nucleus into its constituent neutrons and protons. Binding energy is equal to the work done on the nucleus to oppose the binding forces of the nucleons to pull them apart.

Binding Energy Per Nucleon

Binding Energy per nucleon (B/N) is a fundamental quantity that measures the interaction of nuclear forces between the nucleons (proton, neutron, and muon) within a nucleus. B/N is the quantity that, in the absence of interaction, shows the net force between the nucleons and, therefore, is the extent to the change in the binding energy of the nucleons when the nucleons are given a slight separation (the nuclear force is feeble). This energy is based on the energy of the nucleus when it is deformed and does not account for the binding energy of the deformed nucleus. Binding energy per nucleon (B/N) indicates the energy stored in an atom and the nucleon mass number.

Types of binding energy

There are different types of binding energy that are functioned over different distances and different energy scales. The binding energy associated is higher when the size of the bound is smaller. The types are discussed below.

Electron Binding Energy

It is also commonly known as ionization energy. The binding energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom or molecule is required. The electron binding energy is usually much smaller than the binding energy per nucleon in the nucleus of an atom or molecule. The electrons in an atom or molecule are much lighter than the protons and neutrons. 

Atomic binding energy

An atom’s binding energy is the amount of energy used to break down an atom into its constituent free nucleus and electrons.

Nuclear binding energy

The energy required to dismantle a nucleus into free unbound neutrons and vibrational protons is essentially the nuclear binding energy. The energy is equivalent to the mass defect, the difference between its measured mass and the amount of mass in a nucleus. Nuclear binding energy is usually found when the mass defect is measured, usually, by changing the mass into energy by applying the formula E = mc², where m is the mass and c is the speed of light in a vacuum. Nuclear binding energy can be used when the nucleus splits into various fragments of more than one nucleon. These fragments have positive or negative binding energy based on the position of the parent nucleus on the nuclear binding energy curve. When a heavy nucleus splits or fuses with another light nucleus, one of these processes releases binding energy.

Conclusion 

We came to know about what binding energy is. Different definitions for binding energy in chemistry, atomic physics, and nuclear physics are seen. The different types of binding energy like electron binding energy- ionization energy, Nuclear binding energy, Atomic binding energy, and Bond energy are separately seen.