Physics · Binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass number, nuclear fission and fusion
Assume that the nuclear binding energy per nuclear \) versus mass number \) as s
Assume that the nuclear binding energy per nuclear \( (B / A) \) versus mass number \( (A) \) as shown in the figure. Use this plot to choose the correct choice \( (s) \) given below.
- A. Fusion of two nuclei with mass number lying in the range of \( 51<A<100 \) will release energy
- B. Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of \( 200< \) \( A<260 \) will release energy when broken into two equal fragments
- C. Both (a) and (b)
- D. None of the above
Step-by-step solution
The nuclear binding energy per nucleon peaks around A=56 (iron). For heavy nuclei with A>200, fission into two medium-mass nuclei (around half the original A) increases the binding energy per nucleon, so energy is released. For nuclei with A between 51 and 100, they are already near the binding energy peak, so fusion would require energy input, not release it. Thus, only statement B is correct.
Related MCQs
- Results of calculations for four different designs of a fusion reactor using D-D reaction are given below. Which of these is most promising …
- f a proton and anti-proton come close to each other and annihilate, how much energy will be released?…
- If mass-energy equivalence is taken into account, when water is cooled to form ice, the mass of water should…
- One of the characteristics of nuclear reactions is that in their decayed or fused parts…
- If energy required to remove one of the two electron from He atom is then what is the value of energy required to convert a helium atom into…