Binding and Q Values Are Energy Ledgers

Larger Binding per Nucleon Means Deeper Budget

Binding-per-nucleon comparisons use exact fractions. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

Compare binding per nucleon as exact fractions

The left case gives three fourths of a joule per nucleon; the right case gives four fifths of a joule per nucleon.

3445\tfrac{3}{4}\quad \tfrac{4}{5}
Binding comparisonBoth compared values cite checked binding sources.left=3/4 Jright=4/5 Jwinner=right

Cross multiplication decides the deeper budget

4 times 4 is greater than 3 times 5, so the right budget wins.

4×4=16>15=3×54\times4=16>15=3\times5
Binding comparison source refsThe comparison check rejects uncited values.left=3/4 Jright=4/5 Jwinner=right