Which quantity is the most useful for comparing the stability of nuclei having very different mass numbers?
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Question

Which quantity is the most useful for comparing the stability of nuclei having very different mass numbers?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

A heavy nucleus usually has a larger total binding energy simply because it contains more nucleons. To compare how tightly each nucleon is bound, we use binding energy per nucleon: BE/A. A larger BE/A generally means greater nuclear stability against separation into individual nucleons. Correct option: C.