Why binding energy is less for heavy nuclei?

For heavy nuclei, the protons on either side of the nucleus repel each other due to electrostatic repulsion. Hence the nuclear force becomes weak at this distance. Therefore, the average binding energy is very less.

Why does the binding energy per nucleon decrease with a for higher values of A?

Binding energy per nucleon is obtained by dividing the binding energy with mass number and is the measure of the stability of nucleus. Thus, the binding energy per nucleon decreases with increase in the mass number after reaching a maximum.

What causes higher binding energy?

If the binding energy for the products is higher when light nuclei fuse, or when heavy nuclei split, either of these processes will result in a release of the “extra” binding energy. This energy is referred to as nuclear energy, or loosely as nuclear power.

Which nucleus has the largest binding energy per nucleon?

nickel-62
At the peak of binding energy, nickel-62 is the most tightly bound nucleus (per nucleon), followed by iron-58 and iron-56.

How does binding energy per nucleon vary with mass number?

Binding energy per nucleon is obtained by dividing the binding energy with mass number and is the measure of the stability of nucleus. The binding energy per nucleon is less for lighter nuclides and increase with the mass number. Thus, the binding energy per nucleon decreases with increase in the mass number.

Why does binding energy decrease with mass number?

How does binding energy per nucleon vary with the increase?

The correct option is (c) First increases and then decreases with increase in mass number. Explanation: Binding energy per nucleon Vs number of nucleons curve is shown above which suggests that binding energy per nucleon increases initially (upto Fe) and then decreases.

Which element has the highest binding energy per nucleon and why?

Nickel-62 is an isotope of nickel having 28 protons and 34 neutrons. It is a stable isotope, with the highest binding energy per nucleon of any known nuclide (8.7945 MeV).

Why is the binding energy per nucleon found to be constant for nuclei in the range of mass number lying between 30 and 170?

The nuclear force is a short-range force. The nuclear force between the nucleons falls to zero if the distance between the nucleons is more than a few femtometers. This results in the constant value of binding energy for large size nuclei.