Question

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

• A. decreases with mass number at low mass numbers
• B. increases with mass number at low mass numbers
• C. decreases with mass number at high mass numbers
• D. increases with mass number at high mass numbers

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

decreases with mass number at high mass numbers

As we can see in the graph, that for high atomic masses nuclei, the binding energy per nucleon decreases with increase in mass numbers.

Fission leads to decrease in mass, number. Decrease in mass number will increase stability of nuclei, making fission of nuclei possible for heavier nuclei.