One curve explains both the Sun and the atomic bomb. Binding energy per nucleon peaks at iron — and everything releases energy moving toward that peak.
Nuclear Binding EnergyLive
why stars shine and bombs work
Controls
Presets
The binding energy per nucleon measures how tightly a nucleus is held together, peaking at iron-56. Light nuclei release energy by fusing toward that peak — the power source of stars; heavy nuclei release energy by splitting toward it — the basis of fission reactors and bombs. Iron is the ash where both paths end.
★ Sign in to save this setupSave your tuned setup, or drop this simulation into your own site, docs, or course page.
How it works
The semi-empirical mass formula gives the binding energy per nucleon, which rises to a maximum at iron-56. Light nuclei release energy by fusing toward the peak, powering stars; heavy nuclei release energy by splitting toward it, powering fission reactors and weapons. Iron sits at the bottom of the energy valley where both processes stop.
✦
Ask the AI about this model
The math, the assumptions, real-world uses, or a code translation — explained for this exact simulation.
Is this nuclear binding energy curve tool really free?▾
Yes. Nuclear Binding Energy runs entirely in your browser using your device's own compute, so local use is free forever. You only pay Compute Tokens if you scale a job to the cloud.
Do I need to install anything?▾
No. Everything runs client-side in a modern browser — no downloads, no license, no account required to start.
Can I save or share my simulation?▾
Create a free account to save projects, and use a shareable embed or minted DOI to publish a live, interactive version anywhere.
How accurate are the results?▾
The solver uses established numerical methods, but results are for research and educational purposes and should be validated against experiment or professional review before you rely on them.