Question

There are four atoms which have mass numbers $9,10,11$ and $12$ respectively. Their binding energies are $54,70,66$ and $78MeV$ respectively. Which one of the atoms is most stable?

Answer 1

Stability depends on the value of binding energy per nucleon.

	$A$	$B$	$C$	$D$
Binding energy $\left(MeV\right)$	$54$	$70$	$66$	$78$
Number of nucleons	$9$	$10$	$11$	$12$
Binding energy per nucleon $\left(MeV\right)$	$6$	$7$	$6$	$6.5$

Thus, $B$ is most stable.