Prout (unit)

The Prout is an obsolete unit of energy, whose value is:^[1]

$1Prout=2.9638\times 10^{-14}J$

This is equal to one twelfth of the binding energy of the deuteron.^[2]

History

The "Prout" is a unit of nuclear binding energy, and is 1/12 the binding energy of the deuteron, or 185.5 keV.^[1]

This unit is named after William Prout, who first proposed a quantum of mass.^[3]

"Proutons" was an early candidate for the name of what are now called protons.^{[citation needed]}

This unit was used in the mid-19th century by several physicists, including Marignac, who first proposed it in 1844.^[4]

^ ^a ^b Cardarelli, Francois (2012). Scientific Unit Conversion: A Practical Guide to Metrication. Springer London. p. 284. ISBN 9781447133940. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
^ "William Prout, physicist and chemist whose discovery led Ernest Rutherford to name the proton". Rincón educativo. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
^ Strong, W.W. (1918). "The Unique System of Units". American Physical Society. 13 (2): 141. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
^ Hopkins, B. Smith (1923). Chemistry of the Rarer Elements. D.C. Heath. p. 2. Retrieved November 1, 2025.

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