Fission of nuclei is possible because the binding energy per nucleon in them:
- increase with mass number at low mass numbers
- decrease with mass number at low mass numbers
- increase with mass number at high mass numbers
- decreases with mass number at high mass numbers
Solution
5. As the mass number increases, the binding energy per nucleon gradually decreases and ultimately binding energy per nucleon of heavy nuclides (such as uranium, etc) is comparatively low. Hence, these nuclides are relatively unstable.
6. Fission occurs generally for elements with high atomic mass.
7. Therefore, we can say that fission of nuclei is possible because the binding energy per nucleon in them decreases with mass number at high mass numbers.
Asked in: NEET 2005