Question
Draw a plot showing the variation of binding energy per nucleon versus the mass number A. Explain with the help of this plot the release of energy in the processes of nuclear fission and fusion.
✓
Answer
Plot:
Explanation: A very heavy nucleus, say A = 240, has lower binding energy per nucleon compared to that of a nucleus with A = 120. Thus if a nucleus A = 240 breaks into two A = 120 nuclei, nucleons get more tightly bound.
This implies energy would be released in the process of fission.
Consider two very light nuclei $({\text{A}}\leq 10) $ joining to form a heavier nucleus. The binding energy per nucleon of the fused heavier nuclei is more than the binding energy per nucleon of the lighter nuclei. This means that the final system is more tightly bound than the initial system. Again energy would be released in such a process of fusion.
Explanation: A very heavy nucleus, say A = 240, has lower binding energy per nucleon compared to that of a nucleus with A = 120. Thus if a nucleus A = 240 breaks into two A = 120 nuclei, nucleons get more tightly bound.
This implies energy would be released in the process of fission.
Consider two very light nuclei $({\text{A}}\leq 10) $ joining to form a heavier nucleus. The binding energy per nucleon of the fused heavier nuclei is more than the binding energy per nucleon of the lighter nuclei. This means that the final system is more tightly bound than the initial system. Again energy would be released in such a process of fusion.
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