Given below are two statements:
Statement I : For all elements, greater the mass of the nucleus, greater is the binding energy per nucleon.
Statement II : For all elements, nuclei with less binding energy per nucleon transforms to nuclei with greater binding energy per nucleon.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A
Both Statement I and Statement II are true
- B
Statement I is true but Statement II is false
- C
Both Statement I and Statement II are false
- D
Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Statement I: The binding energy per nucleon is not a monotonic function of mass number. It rises from light nuclei, peaks near Fe ( MeV/nucleon), and then gradually decreases for heavier nuclei. So heavier nuclei (e.g., uranium) actually have lower BE/nucleon than iron. False.
Statement II: A nucleus naturally tends to transform toward higher BE/nucleon (greater stability). Light nuclei fuse and heavy nuclei undergo fission, both moving toward the peak of the BE/nucleon curve and releasing energy in the process. True.
Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
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