answersLogoWhite

0

More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

Binding energy per nucleon relates the overall binding energy in a nucleus as a function of how many nucleons (neutrons and protons) there are in that nucleus.

Initially, energy rises as nucleons clump together, due to the aggregate binding energy (strong interaction) that tends to hold them together. After a while, the slope of the curve decreases due to the fact that the web of binding energy does not extend from any particular nucleon to the entire nucleus. Later, the electromagnetic interaction starts to dominate, causing instability in the nucleus. Past iron and nickel, the slope of the curve is negative, and it stays that way.

As a result, fusion is exothermic at the low end of the curve and endothermic at the high end. Simply put, this means that fusion produces energy with light nuclides and consumes energy for heavy nuclides.

The opposite effect is true for fission. Fission is exothermic for heavy nuclides and endothermic for light nuclides.

Ultimately, this is why fusion reactions normally use hydrogen, and fission reactions normally use uranium.

Since the curve flattens out around iron and nickel, iron and nickel tend to become the most probable end product of stellar nucleosynthesis, which is the fusion process in the stars.

For more information, please see the Related Links below.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How does binding energy per nucleon vary with mass number?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the order of binding energy per nucleon nucleus?

It is the division of the nuclear binding energy over the mass number.


What is the total binding energy and binding energy per nucleon on helium-3 The Answer is BE 7.72MeV and BENUC 2.57MeV. I don't know the steps to get there?

To find the total binding energy Use this formula: B= (number of neutrons)(neutron mass)+ (number of protons)(proton mass) - (Atomic Mass of helium). Then to keep the units correct, multiply that entire expression by 931.5 MeV/u. This is the TOTAL binding energy, and the binding energy per nucleon can be found by dividing the number you calculate above by the total number of protons and neutrons.


What does the graph of mass per nucleon vs atomic mass number look like?

The graph of binding energy per nucleon versus mass number is an analog of this graph, except it would be upside down. Iron, which has the highest binding energy per nucleon, would have the least mass per nucleon as you looked across the periodic table. Use the link below to see the graph of binding energy per nucleon plotted against mass number. If you "invert" this graph, you'll have yours. If any uncertainty exists as to what is going on with "variable" mass among the nucleons of different elements, use the link below to the related question and investigate why things are the way they are.


When does a nucleon have more mass?

A nucleon has more mass when it is not bound to the nucleus of an atom. When the nucleon is bound to other nucleons the binding energy that keeps them together comes from the mass of the nucleon. Therefore the mass of a single nucleon will be smaller in an atom than on it's own.


the mass defect for the nucleus of helium is 0.0303 amu what is the binding energy per nucleon for helium in MeV?

For helium the binding energy per nucleon is 28.3/4 = 7.1 MeV. The helium nucleus has a high binding energy per nucleon and is more stable than some of the other nuclei close to it in the periodic table.


What is blinding energy?

Nuclear binding energy is the energy that holds nucleons (protons and neutrons) together in an atomic nucleus. It is derived from what is called mass deficit. Each nucleon in the atom gives up a tiny amount of its mass when the atom is created. This mass in converted into binding energy.


What is nuclear blinding energy?

Nuclear binding energy is the energy that holds nucleons (protons and neutrons) together in an atomic nucleus. It is derived from what is called mass deficit. Each nucleon in the atom gives up a tiny amount of its mass when the atom is created. This mass in converted into binding energy.


What happened in fission when the products have less mass than the starting material?

The binding energy per nucleon varies in different nuclei, being a maximum in the region of iron and nickel, and getting progressively less as the heavier nuclei are approached, Therefore when a uranium nucleus splits into two nuclei of lighter elements, the total binding energy is increased, and this results in a loss of mass. The destroyed mass appears as energy, from the relation E = mc2. You can read more and see the binding energy graph in the link below. It is also evident why fusion of light nuclei like hydrogen also releases energy, as in this part of the graph binding energy increases as the nuclei get heavier.


What happens to the mass per nucleon in uranium when it is split into smaller nuclei?

The mass of the nucleon is decreased; the difference is released as energy.


Is nuclear fission an exothermic process?

Nuclear fission is an exothermic reaction if the specific nuclide involved is on the down slope of the binding energy per nucleon curve, i.e. it is on the high end of the curve, having high mass, such as for uranium and plutonium. For more information, please see the related link, which contains an explanation of the binding energy per nucleon curve and a picture.


What is the mass number minus the atomic number called?

Nucleon Number (total number of protons and neutrons)


Why are the resulting nuclei of a nucleus with a high mass that has undergone fission more stable than the original nucleus?

There is a greater binding energy per nucleon. Greater binding energy signifies a more stable nucleus due to stronger bonds; in fission, the amount of electrons is irrelevant to stability.