Binding Energy Curve

The binding energy curve shows how tightly protons and neutrons are held together inside atomic nuclei, depending on the size of the nucleus. It illustrates that small nuclei have relatively low binding energy, which increases as the nucleus gets larger, reaching a peak around iron and nickel, indicating maximum stability. Beyond that, larger nuclei have decreasing binding energy per particle, making them less stable. This curve helps explain why elements undergo nuclear reactions, such as fusion or fission, and reveals why certain nuclei are naturally stable while others are more prone to decay or transformation.