A fusion reaction of suitable light nuclei releases energy primarily because:

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Light nuclei lie on the rising part of the binding-energy-per-nucleon curve. When suitable light nuclei fuse, the product is generally more tightly bound and has a greater BE/A. Hence total binding energy increases. The corresponding decrease in total rest mass appears as released energy: Q = Δm c². Correct option: B.