Question

The binding energy per nucleon, for nuclei with atomic mass number `A gt 100`, decreases with `A`.
The nuclear forces are weak for heavier nuclei.
A. If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B. If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C. If assertion is true but reason is false
D. If assertion is false but reason is true.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - C
( c) A better measure of the binding between the constituents of the nucleus is the binding energy per nucleon, which is the ratio of the binding energy of a nucleus to the number of the nucleons in that nucleus. For heavy nuclei `(A gt 100)` Coulomb repulsion between the protons and inside the nucleus increasing. This results in decrease in binding energy per nucleon. Now, nuclear force is the familiar Coulomb force that determines the motion of atomic electrons. Nuclear force is nearly same for all nuclei. Hence, option ( c) is true.