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Question:

Assume that the nuclear binding energy per nuclear (B/A) versus mass number (A) is shown in the figure. Use this plot to choose the correct choice(s) given below. Fusion of two nuclei with mass number lying in the range of 51<A<100 will release energy. Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of 200<A<260 will release energy when broken into two equal fragments.

Both (a) and (b)

None of the above

Fusion of two nuclei with mass number lying in the range of 51<A<100 will release energy

Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of 200<A<260 will release energy when broken into two equal fragments

Solution:

Energy will be released when binding energy per nucleon will increase after fusion, here fusion of two nuclei in the range of 51 to 100 will increase to 102 to 200 after fusion as shown in the figure. Hence energy will be released. Similarly in fission of 200 to 260 final mass no becomes 100 to 130. Hence the answer is option C.