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.

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

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]

^ 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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