Question

Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for ²⁰₁₀Ne, ⁵⁶₁₀Fe and ²³⁸₉₂U .

Answer 1

Binding energy of nuclides is given by the equation

B( ^A_ZX) = [Nm_n + ZM(¹H) – M ( ^A_ZX) ]c² 

On dividing binding energy by the mass number, we obtain the binding energy per nucleon,

= [10 × 1.008665 + 10 × 1.007825 – 19.992440 ] × 931.5

= 160.6 MeV

Hence binding energy per nucleon = B(²⁰₁₀Ne)/20

= 8.03 MeV/nucleon

= [30 × 1.008665 + 26 × 1.007825 – 55.93492] × 931.5 = 492 MeV

Hence binding energy per nucleon =B(⁵⁶₂₆Fe)/56

= 8.79 MeV/nucleon

Hence binding energy per nucleon 

nucleon. All three nuclides have a binding energy per nucleon nearly 8 MeV, with ⁵⁶Fe having the largest binding energy per nucleon.