Question

Assertion (A): Binding energy per nucleon is the measure of the stability of the nucleus.

Reason (R): Binding energy per nucleon is more for heavier nuclides.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true but R is false
• D. A is false but R is true

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

A is true but R is false

The binding energy is the energy that is released when a nucleus is assembled from its constituent nucleons Hence, the energy equivalent of the mass-defect is called the binding-energy of the nucleus.
The heavier the nucleus, the greater the internal repulsive forces due to the greater number of protons and less energy must be applied to remove a nucleon from the nucleus, hence the binding energy is lower. Thus for lighter nuclei binding energy is more. The greater the binding energy, the more stable the nucleus is.