Nuclear binding energy and mass defect Knowledge-Based Download PDF

Questions

1. 1.

   Which statement correctly distinguishes the total nuclear binding energy of an atomic nucleus from its nuclear binding energy per nucleon?

   • A) Total nuclear binding energy is the energy required to separate the nucleus into free nucleons, whereas binding energy per nucleon is obtained by dividing this total energy by the atomic number.
   • B) Total nuclear binding energy indicates the relative stability when comparing different nuclides, whereas binding energy per nucleon is a constant value for all stable isotopes.
   • C) Total nuclear binding energy is the average energy holding a single nucleon in the nucleus, whereas binding energy per nucleon is the total energy needed to split the entire nucleus apart.
   • D) Total nuclear binding energy is the total energy required to completely disassemble the nucleus into free nucleons, whereas binding energy per nucleon is this total energy divided by the mass number.
2. 2.

   Based on the relationship between mass number and nuclear binding energy per nucleon, which statement explains why both the fusion of light nuclides and the fission of heavy nuclides release energy?

   • A) Both processes produce daughter nuclei with a higher binding energy per nucleon than the parent nuclei, causing an increase in total mass defect that is released as energy.
   • B) Both processes produce daughter nuclei with a lower binding energy per nucleon than the parent nuclei, converting nuclear potential energy into rest mass.
   • C) Fusion increases the total mass of the nucleons, whereas fission converts nucleon charge into kinetic energy without altering binding energy.
   • D) Both processes result in product nuclei having lower nuclear stability and smaller mass defects, liberating nucleons as free particles.
3. 3.

   When a stable atomic nucleus is completely separated into its individual, non-interacting protons and neutrons, which of the following describes the energy change of the system?

   • A) An amount of energy equal to the nuclear binding energy must be absorbed by the system.
   • B) An amount of energy equal to the nuclear binding energy is spontaneously released by the system.
   • C) No net energy change occurs because the total number of nucleons remains constant.
   • D) Energy is absorbed only if the nucleus has a mass number greater than 56.
4. 4.

   What does a higher value of nuclear binding energy per nucleon indicate about an atomic nucleus?

   • A) It indicates greater stability because more energy is required on average to disassemble the nucleus into separate nucleons.
   • B) It indicates lower stability because the excess binding energy causes spontaneous radioactive alpha decay.
   • C) It indicates that the nucleus has a higher rest mass than the combined masses of its free constituent nucleons.
   • D) It indicates that the nucleus will readily undergo nuclear fusion to decrease its overall binding energy.
5. 5.

   Which of the following statements correctly describes the mass defect of a stable atomic nucleus and its relationship to nuclear binding energy?

   • A) The mass of the intact nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of its constituent nucleons, and this difference corresponds to the binding energy released upon its formation.
   • B) The mass of the intact nucleus is greater than the sum of the masses of its constituent nucleons because additional mass is generated by the strong nuclear force.
   • C) The mass of the intact nucleus equals the sum of the masses of its constituent nucleons, while nuclear binding energy arises entirely from electrostatic attraction.
   • D) The mass defect represents the total mass of the atomic electrons lost during nuclear formation, which determines the chemical ionization energy.