Question

For heavier nuclei with \(A > 170\), the binding energy per nucleon is:

Options

• greater than \(8.0\ \mathrm{MeV}\)

• less than \(8.0\ \mathrm{MeV}\)

• nearly constant at \(8.0\ \mathrm{MeV}\)

• exactly \(8.0\ \mathrm{MeV}\)

Answer 1

Heavier nuclei (\(A > 170\)) fall outside the flat stable region, so their binding energy per nucleon is less than \(8.0\ \mathrm{MeV}\). Because of this lower stability, splitting a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei (fission) produces products with higher total binding energy, releasing energy.