Question

A nucleus with mass number A = 240 and BE/A = 7.6 MeV breaks into two fragments, each of A = 120 with BE/A = 8.5 MeV. Calculate the released energy.

Answer 1

The binding energy of the nucleus of mass number 240, B₁=7.6×240=1824 MeV

The binding energy of each product nucleus, B₂=8.5×120=1020 MeV

Then, the energy released as the nuclues breaks is given by 

E=2B₂−B₁=2×1020−1824=216 MeV