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Show graphically, the binding energy per nucleon with the mass number and also explain how energy is released in the process of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

Answer
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Hint:Initially, we will discuss the basic idea behind binding energy. Then, gradually we will discuss the stability of an atom with binding energy as a reference. Then we will discuss nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

Complete answer:
Firstly, let us define binding energy. It can be simply defined as the amount of energy required to break a nucleus into its constituents. In simple words, it can be defined as the breaking energy needed to break a nucleus into individual neutrons and protons.

Let us take some examples; the binding energy for oxygen (O16) atom, where 16 is the mass number or the atomic mass of oxygen in amu is approximately 128 MeV. This suggests that 128 MeV amount of energy is required to break the oxygen nucleus into individual neutrons and protons. In other, if we want to separate all the 16 protons and neutrons in the nucleus apart, energy of 128 MeV should be supplied to the atom or basically to the nucleus.

Similarly, the binding energy for Uranium (U235) atom, where 235 is the mass number or the atomic mass of uranium in amu is approximately 1786 MeV. This suggests that 1786 MeV amount of energy is required to break the uranium nucleus into individual neutrons and protons. In other, if we want to separate all the 235 protons and neutrons in the nucleus apart, energy of 1786 MeV should be supplied to the atom or basically to the nucleus.

Now, if we compare the binding energies of the two atoms, then, can we say that U235 nucleus is more stable than O16 nucleus as it needs more energy to break apart? The answer will be no. This is because uranium has 235 neutrons and protons to separate whereas oxygen has only 16. Thus, these two values cannot be compared to conclude for stability of the atoms.

Thus, we use the concept of binding energy per nucleon. This is a more comparable parameter as we are comparing energy required by each nucleon (neutron or proton) to get separated. For a nucleus, the value can be calculated as
Binding Energy per Nucleon=Binding EnergyNumber of nucleons
Thus, substituting the values for O16, we get
Binding Energy per Nucleon8 MeV
And for U235, we get
Binding Energy per Nucleon7.6 MeV
Thus, it is apparent that O16 nucleus is more stable than U235 as an individual nucleon of O16 requires more energy to separate from the nucleus than that of a nucleon in U235 nucleus.

Now, the graph of binding energy per nucleon with the mass number turns out to be something like
seo images

Here, we can see that the binding energy per nucleon initially increases with mass number.Then it reaches a peak value near 56 amu and then gradually starts decreasing, but the decrease is very slight. It nearly remains the same after the peak value.If we observe, then we see that the peak binding energy is attained at 56 amu which refers to the iron (Fe56) nucleus. This means that Fe56 is the most stable nucleus available.
seo images

Now, let us discuss the energy released in nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Nuclear fission is the process in which a heavy nucleus is split into two lighter nuclei (daughter nuclei).Whereas, nuclear fusion is the process in which two light nuclei are combined to form a heavier nucleus. In both cases the mass of the products is slightly less than mass of the initial nuclei. This mass difference is released as energy.

For example, when U235 nucleus is bombarded with a neutron, it splits into two daughter nuclei as Krypton (Kr92) and Barium (Ba141). If we observe, the mass of the products is 92+141=233. Whereas, the mass of the original nucleus was 235.Thus, the mass of the products is less than the mass of the initial nucleus. This mass difference is released as energy during the fission.

Similarly, when deuterium (D2) and tritium (T3) undergo nuclear fusion, it forms a helium (He4) nucleus and a neutron. Thus, clearly here also the mass of the products is 4 whereas the mass of the initial nuclei was 2 + 3 = 5. Thus, the mass of the products is less than the mass of the initial nuclei. Thus, this mass difference is released as energy during the fusion process.

Note:Students often get confused intuitively with the literary sense of the name binding energy as the energy required to bind the nucleons together. But the actual sense is the amount of energy required to break the binding between the nucleons. Students also commit errors thinking that energy has to be supplied for nuclear fission so no energy is released while a fission process is taking place. But in actuality, the nucleus is bombarded with a neutron for triggering the fission to take place. The neutron released after the fusion has a minimal mass so it is playing a very minor role in affecting the energy released during the fusion process.
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