Atoms and Nuclei Part 3

Concept:Binding energy per nucleon ($\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$) measures nuclear stability. It varies with mass number: increases sharply for light nuclei, peaks at $^{56}\mathrm{Fe}$ (iron), then gradually decreases for heavier nuclei.Explanation:Statement I claims that greater nuclear mass always gives greater $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$. This is false because $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$ does not increase monotonically; it peaks at iron and then declines. For example, uranium has lower $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$ than iron.Statement II is true. In nuclear fusion, light nuclei with low $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$ combine to form a heavier nucleus with higher $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$. In nuclear fission, a heavy nucleus with low $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$ splits into lighter fragments with higher $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$. Both processes release energy and move toward more stable configurations.Hence, nuclei with lower $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$ indeed transform to those with higher $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$. Nature tends toward maximum stability (higher $\frac{\mathrm{BE}}{A}$).Therefore, Statement I is false and Statement II is true.Answer:Option A: Statement I is false but Statement II is true.