| Abstract: | The study of masses of the different nuclear species is basic to the whole of nuclear physics. Because of the interchangeability of mass and energy the details of energy absorption or release are identical with mass differences or changes in the masses of participating nuclei. The systematic trends in mass value reflect therefore changes in the nuclear binding energy. It is one of the primary tasks of nuclear theory to explain the total binding energy of a lump of nuclear matter. The systematic trends in mass differences are also of basic importance in evolving models to describe the formation of the elements in our galaxy. |
