Question 106: Atoms & Nuclei

Question

Assume that the nuclear binding energy per nucleon (B/A) versus mass number (A) is as shown in the figure. Use this plot to choose the correct choice(s) given below.

Accepted Answer

When binding energy per nucleon increases for a nuclear process, energy is released.
(a) For 1 < A < 50, on fusion, mass number of the resulting nucleus will be less than 100. No energy will be released.
(b) For 51 < A < 100, on fusion, mass number of the resulting nucleus will be between 100 and 200. As BE increases, energy will be released.
(c) On fission for 100 < A < 200, the mass number for fission nuclei will be between 50 and 100. As BE decreases, no energy will be released.
(d) On fission for 200 < A < 260, the mass number for the fission nuclei will be between 100 and 130. Since BE will increase, energy will be released.

Answer

Fusion of two nuclei with mass number lying in the range of 1 < A < 50 will release energy

Answer

Fusion of two nuclei with mass numbers lying in the range of 51 < A < 100 will release energy

Answer

Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of 100 < A < 200 will release energy when broken into two equal fragments

Answer

Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of 200 < A < 260 will release energy when broken into two equal fragments

Atoms & Nuclei

Assume that the nuclear binding energy per nucleon (B/A) versus mass number (A) is as shown in the figure. Use this plot to choose the correct choice(s) given below.

Choose the correct answer: