Question

The energy required to separate the nucleons in a nucleus to infinity is called binding energy. This is equal to the energy released if the nucleons are brought together from infinity to form the nucleus.
(A) True
(B) False

Answer 1

Hint: For giving the answer to this question, we should understand the concept of binding energy. The question can be answered only by knowing the actual definition of binding energy.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
The minimum amount of energy required for the nucleus to break into its constituent nucleons is known as the binding energy of the nucleus. It can also be defined as the amount of energy required to hold the protons and neutrons of an atom together. It is given as
${{E}_{b}}=\Delta m\times 931MeV$

In terms of atomic mass units (amu), the binding energy is calculated as
${{E}_{b}}=(\Delta m){{c}^{2}}$ amu
Where $\Delta m$ = mass defect
And c = speed of light
The units of nuclear binding energy are kJ/mol or MeV/nucleon.
The statement given above is the correct definition of binding energy.
Correct Option: (A) True.

Additional Information: The binding energy is useful in calculating the field of nuclear physics. It is useful in nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. Binding energy depends on the Coulomb repulsive force between the protons, the atomic number of atoms and the asymmetry between the number of protons and neutrons.

Note: The larger value of binding energy means that a large amount of energy is required to break the nucleus into its constituent nucleons and hence, the nucleus is stable. But the lower value of binding energy means that only a small amount of energy is required to break the nucleus into its constituent nucleons, and hence, the nucleus is not stable.