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Binding Energy Per Nucleon Calculator

Work out binding energy per nucleon instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Binding Energy Per Nucleon Calculator

Dividing total binding energy by mass number gives the energy holding each nucleon, and this is what governs whether fusion or fission releases energy. Iron-56 peaks at 8.79 MeV per nucleon, so lighter nuclei gain by fusing and heavier ones by splitting - both moving towards that maximum.

Formulas

Binding energy per nucleon

BE/A = total binding energy / mass number

Energy conversion

1 MeV = 1.602e-13 J

Worked example

With the default values below, Binding Energy Per Nucleon Calculator returns Binding Energy Per Nucleon of 8.7911. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Total binding energyminimum 0 MeV
492.3 MeV
Mass number Aminimum 1
56

Results

Binding Energy Per Nucleon
8.7911 MeV
Compared With Iron-56
100.01%
Total Binding Energy In Joules
7.8875 × 10⁻¹¹
Stability Assessment
Near the peak of nuclear stability

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Binding energy per nucleon
  3. 3Energy conversion
  4. 4Binding Energy Per Nucleon= 8.7911 MeV
  5. 5Compared With Iron-56= 100.01
  6. 6Total Binding Energy In Joules= 0.0000
  7. 7Stability Assessment= Near the peak of nuclear stability

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the curve peak at iron?

Because the strong force saturates at short range while electrostatic repulsion between protons keeps growing with size. The balance turns over around A = 56-62.

What does this say about stellar fusion?

Stars gain energy fusing up to iron and no further. Beyond that, fusion costs energy, which is why iron cores collapse into supernovae.

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