Question

Assume that the nuclear binding energy per nucleon $\left(B/A\right)$ versus mass number $\left(A\right)$ is as shown in the figure. Use this plot to choose the correct choice(s) given below.

• A. Fusion of two nuclei with mass numbers lying in the range of $1<A<50$ will release energy.
• B. Fusion of two nuclei with mass numbers lying in the range of $51<A<100$ will release energy.
• C. Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of $100<A<200$ will release energy when broken into two equal fragments.
• D. Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of $200<A<260$ will release energy when broken into two equal fragments.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of $200<A<260$ will release energy when broken into two equal fragments.

Energy is released during nuclear fusion and fission when the final binding energy per nucleon is greater than the initial binding energy, so that the nucleus gets more stable.
This will occur in fusion [option (b)] and fission [option (d)].