Nucleus X has A = 20 and total binding energy 160 MeV. Nucleus Y has A = 40 and total binding energy 300 MeV. Which nucleus is more tightly bound per nucleon?
Options

Question

Nucleus X has A = 20 and total binding energy 160 MeV. Nucleus Y has A = 40 and total binding energy 300 MeV. Which nucleus is more tightly bound per nucleon?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For nucleus X: BE/A = 160/20 = 8 MeV per nucleon. For nucleus Y: BE/A = 300/40 = 7.5 MeV per nucleon. Since 8 > 7.5, nucleus X has the greater binding energy per nucleon and is more tightly bound. Correct option: A.