Given below are two statements: Statement I: For all elements, greater the mass of the nucleus, greater is the binding energy per nucleon. Statement II: For all elements, nuclei with less binding energy per nucleon transforms to nuclei with greater binding energy per nucleon. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

For all elements, greater the mass of the nucleus, greater is the binding energy per nucleon

Q. Given below are two statements:

Statement I: For all elements, greater the mass of the nucleus, greater is the binding energy per nucleon.

Statement II: For all elements, nuclei with less binding energy per nucleon transforms to nuclei with greater binding energy per nucleon.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

(A) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

(B) Both Statement I and Statement II are true

(D) Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Correct Answer: (A) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Explanation

Statement I is false. Binding energy per nucleon does not continuously increase with mass number. It increases up to iron (A ≈ 56) and then slowly decreases for heavier nuclei.

Statement II is true. Nuclear reactions such as fusion (light nuclei) and fission (heavy nuclei) occur because nuclei tend to transform into more stable configurations having greater binding energy per nucleon.

Hence, the correct choice is Option (A).

Explanation

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