<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Nuclear binding energy is the minimum energy that would be required to disassemble the nucleus of an atom into its component parts . These component parts are neutrons and protons, which are collectively called nucleons . The binding energy is always a positive number, as we need to spend energy in moving the nucleons away from each other (attracted by nuclear force). The mass of an atomic nucleus is less than the sum of the individual masses of the free constituent protons and neutrons (according to Einstein's equation E = mc) and this' missing mass' is known as the mass defect, and represents the energy that was released when the nucleus was formed . </P> <P> The term "nuclear binding energy" may also refer to the energy balance in processes in which the nucleus splits into fragments composed of more than one nucleon . If new binding energy is available when light nuclei fuse, or when heavy nuclei split, either process can result in release of this binding energy . This energy may be made available as nuclear energy and can be used to produce electricity as in (nuclear power) or in a nuclear weapon . When a large nucleus splits into pieces, excess energy is emitted as photons (gamma rays) and as the kinetic energy of a number of different ejected particles (nuclear fission products). </P>

The binding energy of a nucleus is the amount of energy needed to