Mass Deficiency
What is Mass Deficiency?
Mass deficiency (or mass defect) is the difference between the mass of an atomic nucleus and the sum of the masses of its constituent protons and neutrons when separated. This mass difference is converted into the nuclear binding energy according to Einstein's equation E = Δmc², and it represents the energy holding the nucleus together. Greater mass deficiency per nucleon indicates a more stable nucleus, with iron-56 having the highest binding energy per nucleon of all nuclides.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Mass deficiency (or mass defect) is the difference between the mass of an atomic nucleus and the sum of the masses of its constituent protons and neutrons when separated. This mass difference is converted into the nuclear binding energy according to Einstein's equation E = Δmc², and it represents the energy holding the nucleus together. Greater mass deficiency per nucleon indicates a more stable nucleus, with iron-56 having the highest binding energy per nucleon of all nuclides.