Semi-empirical nuclear binding model
A liquid-drop binding parameterization combines a positive volume term with surface, proton Coulomb and neutron–proton asymmetry penalties, plus an even–odd pairing term: B≈a_vA−a_sA²ᐟ³−a_cZ(Z−1)A⁻¹ᐟ³−a_a(A−2Z)²/A+δa_pA⁻³ᐟ⁴.
Key knowledge
A liquid-drop binding parameterization combines a positive volume term with surface, proton Coulomb and neutron–proton asymmetry penalties, plus an even–odd pairing term: B≈a_vA−a_sA²ᐟ³−a_cZ(Z−1)A⁻¹ᐟ³−a_a(A−2Z)²/A+δa_pA⁻³ᐟ⁴. Here δ=+1 for even Z/even N, −1 for odd Z/odd N, and 0 for odd A; N=A−Z.
Values and equations
B≈a_vA−a_sA²ᐟ³−a_cZ(Z−1)A⁻¹ᐟ³−a_a(A−2Z)²/A+δa_pA⁻³ᐟ⁴; N=A−Z
- B,a_v,a_s,a_c,a_a,a_p
- Binding energy and fitted coefficient energies J
- A,Z,N
- Nucleon, proton and neutron counts
- δ
- Declared pairing sign
Conditions and scope
- A positive integer, 0≤Z≤A; coefficients are fitted energies for the declared parameterization and data range, not universal constants. Pairing exponents and the Coulomb Z² versus Z(Z−1) convention vary across fits.
- This phenomenological average mass model does not determine shell corrections, all light-nucleus masses, deformation barriers or decay rates; use actual consistent nuclear masses when their accuracy is required.
Sources · 1
References
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Evidence and review
Introduction to Applied Nuclear Physics: chapter 1 (2012): Section 1.2.2, printed pages 7–9: five-term semi-empirical formula and A⁻³ᐟ⁴ pairing convention; no numerical fit is transplanted, and the text's first-principles characterization is not adopted.
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