The Formula
In the following formulae, let A be the total number of nucleons, Z the number of protons, and N the number of neutrons.
The mass of an atomic nucleus is given by
where and are the rest mass of a proton and a neutron, respectively, and is the binding energy of the nucleus. The semi-empirical mass formula states that the binding energy will take the following form:
Each of the terms in this formula has a theoretical basis, as will be explained below.
Read more about this topic: Semi-empirical Mass Formula
Famous quotes containing the word formula:
“Ideals possess the strange quality that if they were completely realized they would turn into nonsense. One could easily follow a commandment such as “Thou shalt not kill” to the point of dying of starvation; and I might establish the formula that for the proper functioning of the mesh of our ideals, as in the case of a strainer, the holes are just as important as the mesh.”
—Robert Musil (1880–1942)
“Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God.”
—Maria Mitchell (1818–1889)