packing fraction


noun

Physics. a measure of the stability of an atomic nucleus, equal to 104 multiplied by the mass defect and divided by the mass number.

Origin of packing fraction

First recorded in 1925–30

Words nearby packing fraction

British Dictionary definitions for packing fraction

packing fraction

noun

a measure of the stability of a nucleus, equal to the difference between its mass in amu and its mass number, divided by the mass number

Scientific definitions for packing fraction

packing fraction
[ păkĭng ]

The ratio of the total volume of a set of objects packed into a space to the volume of that space.
The difference between the isotopic mass of a nuclide and its mass number, divided by its mass number. The packing fraction is often interpreted as a measure of the stability of the nucleus.