The above is a plot of binding energy per nucleon Eb, against the nuclear mass M; A, B, C, D, E, F correspond to different nuclei. Consider four reactions:
(i) A + B → C + ε (ii) C → A + B + ε
(iii) D + E → F + ε and (iv) F → D + E +ε
where ε is the energy released? In which reaction is ε positive?
-
(i) and (iv)
-
(i) and (iii)
-
(ii) and (iv)
-
(ii) and (iii)
A.
(i) and (iv)
Binding energy per nucleon of each product is less than that of each reactant.