Science, Tech, Math › Science Binding Energy Definition in Science What Is Binding Energy in Science? Print pixelparticle / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on January 13, 2020 In physics, binding energy is the minimum energy required to either separate an electron from an atom or to separate the protons and neutrons of an atomic nucleus. It is equal to the mass defect less the quantity of energy or mass released when a bound system is created. Binding energy is also known as separation energy. Types of Binding Energy There are several types of binding energy. These include: Atomic Binding Energy: The atomic binding energy is the energy needed to break an atom into its nucleus and free electrons.Bond Dissociation Energy: Bond dissociation energy is the binding energy between atoms that share a chemical bond. It is a measure of the energy needed to break a molecule into its atoms.Ionization Energy: Ionization energy is the energy required to break electrons from their orbits around atoms.Nuclear Binding Energy: Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to break a nucleus into free protons and neutrons. It is the energy equivalent of the mass defect. Sources Bodansky, David (2005). Nuclear Energy: Principles, Practices, and Prospects (2nd ed.). New York: Springer Science + Business Media, LLC. ISBN 9780387269313.IUPAC (1997). Compendium of Chemical Terminology (2nd ed.) (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.Wong, Samuel S.M. (2004). Introductory Nuclear Physics (2nd ed.). Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. pp. 9–10. ISBN 9783527617913. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Binding Energy Definition in Science." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-binding-energy-604386. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 29). Binding Energy Definition in Science. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-binding-energy-604386 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Binding Energy Definition in Science." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-binding-energy-604386 (accessed March 29, 2024). copy citation