Question

The incorrect statement about binding energy is

• A. It is the energy required to break a given nucleus into its free nucleons.
• B. It is the sum of the rest mass energies of the nucleons minus the rest mass energy of the nucleus.
• C. It is the energy required to bind the free nucleons to form a nucleus.
• D. It is the energy released when the free nucleons combine to form a nucleus.

Answer 1

The correct option is C It is the energy required to bind the free nucleons to form a nucleus.

Binding energy is energy required to break a given nucleus into its free nucleons.

In other words, It is the energy released when the free nucleons combine to form a nucleus.

Also, $B.E=\text{mass defect}\times c^2$

Where, mass defect is the difference between the sum of the masses of the nucleons and the mass of the nucleus.

So, Option $A,B\text{and}D$ are correct statement about binding energy.

Hence, option $\left(C\right)$ is incorrect statement.