| Iron-56 | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Name, symbol | Iron-56, 56Fe |
| Neutrons | 30 |
| Protons | 26 |
| Nuclide Data | |
| Natural abundance | 91.754% |
| Half-life | Stable |
| Isotope mass | 55.9349375(7) u |
| Spin | 0+ |
| Excess energy | −60,601.003±1.354 keV |
| Binding energy | 492,253.892±1.356 keV |
Iron-56 is the most common isotope of iron. About 91.754% of all iron is iron-56.
Of all isotopes, iron-56 has the lowest mass per nucleon. With 8.8 MeV binding energy per nucleon, iron-56 is one of the most tightly bound nuclei.[1]
Nickel-62 has a higher binding energy per nucleon; this is consistent with having a higher mass per nucleon because nickel-62 has a greater proportion of neutrons; which are slightly more massive than protons.
Thus, light elements undergoing nuclear fusion and heavy elements undergoing nuclear fission release energy as their nucleons bind more tightly, and the resulting nuclei approach the minimum total energy per nucleon, which occurs at iron-56. As the Universe ages, more matter is converted into extremely tightly bound nuclei, such as iron-56. This progression of matter towards iron and nickel is one of the phenomena responsible for the heat death of the universe.
Production of these elements has decreased considerably from what it was at the beginning of the stelliferous era; however, in all likelihood, not all matter will be converted into such elements.
| Lighter: Iron-55 |
Iron-56 is an isotope of iron |
Heavier: Iron-57 |
| Decay product of: Manganese-56 Cobalt-56 |
Decay chain of Iron-56 |
Decays to: Stable |