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| The binding energy is the energy that holds an atomic nucleus together. Fission reactions (such as those in nuclear power plants on earth) can break heavy nuclei, such as uranium, into lighter fragments and release energy. |
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| The binding energy is the energy that holds an atomic nucleus together. Fission reactions (such as those in nuclear power plants on earth) can break heavy nuclei, such as uranium, into lighter fragments and release energy. |
Fusion reactions (such as those in stars) can combine low-mass nuclei to form more massive nuclei and release energy. Iron has the most tightly bound nucleus, so an iron core inside a star cannot release energy by fusion or fission.