Atomic and Nuclear Physics
DOE-HDBK-1019/1-93
MASS DEFECT AND BINDING ENERGY
Summary
The important information in this chapter is summarized below.
Mass Defect and Binding Energy Summary
Mass defect is the difference between the mass of the atom and the sum of the
masses of its constituent parts.
Binding energy is the amount of energy that must be supplied to a nucleus to
completely separate its nuclear particles. Binding energy is the energy equivalent
of the mass defect.
Mass defect can be calculated by using the equation below.
Dm = [ Z(mp + me) + (A-Z)mn ] - matom
Binding energy can be calculated by multiplying the mass defect by the factor
of 931.5 MeV per amu.
Rev. 0
Page 21
NP-01
