ABSTRACT
Nuclear particles lose some mass when a nucleus is formed from independent protons plus neutrons; this mass is converted to energy released when the particles are bound together in the nucleus. The formation of a nucleus for each element results in a different amount of mass lost as energy. To compensate for variable mass loss, a unit can be defined for atomic mass that is based on nuclear particles, which are already bound into a nucleus. The electromagnetic force is responsible for the energy of chemical bonding and the source of energy conversion in chemical reactions. For the electromagnetic force, opposite charges farther apart represents the higher potential energy position. As opposite charges approach, the decrease in potential energy can be observed as an increase in kinetic energy, such as heat. An important consideration concerning the interaction of mass with the nuclear force is the amount of energy change relative to the size of the mass involved.
