binding energy

[ bahyn-ding en-er-jee ]

noun

, Physics.

1. Also called separation energy. the energy required to decompose a molecule, atom, or nucleus into its constituent particles, equal to the energy equivalent of the mass defect.
2. the energy required to separate a single particle or group of particles from a molecule, atom, or nucleus.

binding energy

noun

1. the energy that must be supplied to a stable nucleus before it can undergo fission. It is equal to the mass defect
2. the energy required to remove a particle from a system, esp an electron from an atom

Word History and Origins

Origin of binding energy¹

First recorded in 1930–35