Binding energy per nucleon – the curve, fission and fusion

PhysicsQuantum & Nuclear PhysicsAges 17–18

A graph of binding energy per nucleon Eb/A against mass number A, built from real masses of about 30 nuclei from ²H to ²³⁸U, with its peak around ⁵⁶Fe – ⁶²Ni. Select a nucleus to see Z, N, the mass defect Δm, Eb = Δm·c² and Eb/A. Animations of ²³⁵U fission and D + T fusion show about 200 MeV and 17.6 MeV being released because the products sit higher on the curve.