Question:

Fission of nuclei is possible because the binding energy per nucleon in them

Updated On: Jun 7, 2022
  • increases with mass number at high mass numbers
  • decreases with mass number at high mass numbers
  • increases with mass number at low mass numbers
  • decreases with mass number at low mm numbers
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The binding energy per nucleon for the middle nuclides (from $A=20$ to $A=56$ ) is maximum. Hence, these are more stable.
As the mass number increases, the binding energy per nucleon gradually decreases and ultimately binding energy per nucleon of heavy nuclides (such as uranium etc.) is comparatively low. Hence, these nuclides are relatively unstable. So, they can be fissioned easily.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Concepts Used:

Nuclei

In the year 1911, Rutherford discovered the atomic nucleus along with his associates. It is already known that every atom is manufactured of positive charge and mass in the form of a nucleus that is concentrated at the center of the atom. More than 99.9% of the mass of an atom is located in the nucleus. Additionally, the size of the atom is of the order of 10-10 m and that of the nucleus is of the order of 10-15 m.

Read More: Nuclei

Following are the terms related to nucleus:

  1. Atomic Number
  2. Mass Number
  3. Nuclear Size
  4. Nuclear Density
  5. Atomic Mass Unit