Question

The binding energy per nucleon of iron atoms is approximately.
(A) 13.6 eV
(B) 8.8 MeV
(C) Infinity
(D) 10 MeV

Answer 1

Hint: We know that the binding energy is defined as the amount of the energy that is required to separate a particle from a system of the particles, or to disperse all the particles, of the system. Binding energy is especially applicable to the subatomic particles in the atomic nuclei, to the electrons that are bound to the nuclei in the atoms, and to the atoms and ions bound together in the crystals. Based on this concept we have to answer this question.

Complete step by step answer:
First, we have to examine the binding energy that is present per nucleon of an iron atom.
The maximum binding energy per nucleon occurs at around mass number $A=50$, and corresponds to the most stable nuclei. When we say mass number and denote it by A, we mean that it is the integer value to the atomic weight of an atom and equal to the number of nucleons in the nucleus of the atom.
 Iron nucleus ${{F}^{56}}$ is located close to the peak with a binding energy per nucleon value of approximately 8.8MeV.
So, we can conclude that it is one of the most stable nuclides that exist.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: We should know that electron binding energy is also known as ionization potential. It is defined as the amount of energy that is required to remove an electron from an atom, a molecule or an ion.
In case of an electron, which is negatively charged, is attached to the nucleus of an atom because of the positive charge present there. The amount of energy that is required to be given to the electron to pull it away from an attractive force, which is also known as the Coulombic force, is the idea given by binding energy.
The binding energy of a single proton or neutron in a nucleus is approximately a million times greater than the binding energy of a single electron that is present inside an atom.