Binding Energy per Nucleon Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the binding energy per nucleon calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

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Formulas Used

Total Binding Energy

be_mev = mass_defect * 931.494

Binding Energy per Nucleon

be_per_nucleon = mass_defect * 931.494 / nucleons

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
mass_defectMass Defect (delta m)(u)0.5284
nucleonsNumber of Nucleons (A)56

How It Works

Nuclear Binding Energy

The binding energy is the energy required to disassemble a nucleus into free protons and neutrons. Higher binding energy per nucleon means greater nuclear stability.

Formula

BE = delta_m × 931.494 MeV/u

BE per nucleon = BE / A

where delta_m is the mass defect (in atomic mass units) and 931.494 MeV/u is the energy equivalent of one atomic mass unit. Iron-56 has the highest BE/nucleon at about 8.79 MeV.

Worked Example

Fe-56 with mass defect 0.5284 u and A = 56 nucleons.

mass_defect = 0.5284nucleons = 56
  1. 01BE = 0.5284 × 931.494 = 492.3 MeV
  2. 02BE/A = 492.3 / 56 = 8.79 MeV/nucleon

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