Binding energy

In physics and chemistry, binding energy is the smallest amount of energy required to remove a particle from a system of particles or to disassemble a system of particles into individual parts.^[1] In the former meaning the term is predominantly used in condensed matter physics, atomic physics, and chemistry, whereas in nuclear physics the term separation energy is used. A bound system is typically at a lower energy level than its unbound constituents. According to relativity theory, a $Δ E$ decrease in the total energy of a system is accompanied by a decrease $Δ m$ in the total mass, where $Δ mc 2 = Δ E$ .^[2]

Binding also can refer to two particles connecting together, such as phagocytosis and pathogen binding (connecting) together so that the phagocytosis destroys the pathogen.

^ Rohlf, James William (1994). Modern Physics from α to Z°. John Wiley & Sons. p. 20. ISBN 0471572705.
^ Eisberg, Robert; Resnick, Robert (1985). Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. p. 524. ISBN 047187373X.

[1] Rohlf, James William (1994). Modern Physics from α to Z°. John Wiley & Sons. p. 20. ISBN 0471572705.

[2] Eisberg, Robert; Resnick, Robert (1985). Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. p. 524. ISBN 047187373X.

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