Question

Is it easier to take out a nucleon (a) from carbon or from iron (b) from iron or from lead?

Answer 1

Binding energy per nucleon of a nucleus is defined as the energy required to break-off a nucleon from it.
(a) As the binding energy per nucleon of iron is more than that of carbon, it is easier to take out a nucleon from carbon than iron.
(b) As the binding energy per nucleon of iron is more than that of lead. Therefore, it is easier to take out a nucleon from lead as compared to iron.