Curve Of Binding Energy | The

Light nuclei move "up" the curve to become more stable by fusing together. This process powers stars like our Sun.

) . It illustrates the stability of atomic nuclei and explains why certain nuclear reactions—like fusion and fission—release energy. Peak Stability: The curve peaks around a mass number of to The curve of binding energy

), indicating that nuclear forces are "saturated" in mid-sized nuclei. Light nuclei move "up" the curve to become

The shape of the curve dictates how we can extract energy from the atom: The curve of binding energy

. Nuclei in this "iron peak" (notably and Nickel-62 ) are the most tightly bound and stable in the universe.