Question

Two lighter nuclei combine to form a comparatively heavier nucleus by the relation given below:

\[\ce{^2_1X + ^2_1X = ^4_2Y}\]

The binding energies per nucleon \[\ce{^2_1X}\] and \[\ce{^4_2Y}\] are 1.1 MeV and 7.6 MeV respectively. The energy released in this process is ______ MeV.

Options

• 20

• 22

• 24

• 26

Answer 1

Two lighter nuclei combine to form a comparatively heavier nucleus by the relation given below:

\[\ce{^2_1X + ^2_1X = ^4_2Y}\]

The binding energies per nucleon \[\ce{^2_1X}\] and \[\ce{^4_2Y}\] are 1.1 MeV and 7.6 MeV respectively. The energy released in this process is 26 MeV.

Explanation:

Energy released in the given process = Binding energy of product - Binding energy of reactants

= 7.6 × 4 - (1.1 × 2) × 2

= 30.4 - 4.4 

= 26 MeV