Question

In terms of nuclear binding energy, a more tightly bound nucleus has:

Options

• The same mass-energy as the separate lighter nuclei

• Higher mass-energy than the separate lighter nuclei

• No mass-energy at all

• Lower mass-energy than the separate lighter nuclei

Answer 1

A more tightly bound nucleus has lower mass-energy than the separate lighter nuclei. This difference in mass-energy is what appears as released energy when light nuclei combine during fusion.