5.3 Nuclear Forces and Binding Energy

5.3 Nuclear Forces and Binding Energy

Explanation:

Nuclear forces, or strong interactions, are the forces that bind protons and neutrons together within the nucleus, overcoming the repulsive electromagnetic force between positively charged protons. Binding energy is the energy required to separate a nucleus into its individual nucleons. A nucleus with higher binding energy is more stable.

Key Concepts:

• Strong Nuclear Force: The force that holds nucleons together in the nucleus.
• Binding Energy: The energy required to break a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons.

Example Problem:

Problem: Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for a helium-4 nucleus with a mass defect of 0.0304 atomic mass units (amu).

Solution:

• Convert the mass defect into energy using Einstein’s equation:

E = mc^2

• Binding energy:

Binding energy = 0.0304 amu × 931.5 MeV/amu = 28.3 MeV

• Binding energy per nucleon:

Binding energy per nucleon = 28.3 MeV / 4 nucleons = 7.075 MeV/nucleon