Nuclear binding energy

Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to hold the protons and neutrons together in an atomic nucleus. It’s a measure of the stability of the nucleus; the higher the binding energy, the more stable the nucleus is. When a nucleus forms, energy is released, which makes it more stable. Conversely, if a nucleus splits (as in nuclear fission), energy is released, which can be harnessed for power. Essentially, binding energy explains why some elements are more stable than others and is key to understanding the processes that power stars, including our sun.