If the nucleons bound in a nucleus are separated apart form each other, the sum of their masses is greater than the mass of the nucleus. Where does this mass difference come form? Explain briefly.

Explanation

To understand where the mass difference comes from when nucleons are separated from a nucleus, we can break down the explanation into the following steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Nucleons and Mass**:
- Nucleons (protons and neutrons) are the building blocks of a nucleus. When they are bound together in a nucleus, they exhibit a certain mass.

2. **Mass of Separated Nucleons vs. Mass of the Nucleus**:
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