Mass defect

When hadrons are bonded in nuclei the binding energy is expressed in Joules as the mass defect (Dm) times the velocity of light squared according to Einstein's famous relationship ...

E = Dmc2
A fission bomb ...

235U --> 90Sr + X + ~9n + g + Dmc2

... and a fusion bomb ...

22D --> 4He + Dmc2
2D + 3T --> 4He + n + Dmc2

... both convert mass to heat.

Note: the neutron was identified by Chadwick on the basis of a mass defect Dm.

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