The energy required to separate the nucleons from a nucleus is called — Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1 - Composition of the Nucleus An atomic nucleus consists of protons and neutrons (collectively: nucleons) held together by the strong nuclear force. Step 2 - Definition of Nuclear Binding Energy The **nuclear binding energy** ($E_b$) is the minimum energy required to completely disassemble a nucleus into its constituent free nucleons (all protons and neutrons, separated to infinite distance). From Einstein's mass-energy equivalence, this equals the energy equivalent of the mass defect: $$\Delta m = [Z \cdot m_p + (A-Z) \cdot m_n] - m_{\text{nucleus}}$$ $$E_b = \Delta m \cdot c^2$$ Step 3 - Evaluate Options - **(A) Nuclear energy** — Incorrect. This is a broad term covering fission, fusion, and decay energy—not the specific definition for nucleon separation. - **(B) Ionization energy** — Incorrect. This is the energy to remove an electron from an atom (electronic process, not nuclear). - **(C) Binding energy** — Correct. Precisely defined as the energy required to separate all nucleons from the nucleus. - **(D) Lattice energy** — Incorrect. This is the energy to separate ions in an ionic crystal lattice (a chemical, not nuclear, concept). $$\boxed{\text{Answer: C (Binding Energy)}}$$