KCET2010PhysicsNuclear Physics
Pick out the correct statement from the following.
Options
- AEnergy released per unit mass of the reactant is less in case of fusion reaction
- BPacking fraction may be positive or may be negative
- CPu ²³⁹ is not suitable for a fission reaction
- DFor stable nucleus, the specific binding energy is low
Correct answer
B. Packing fraction may be positive or may be negative
Step-by-step solution
Mass defect per nucleon is called packing fraction. Packing fraction (f)= m A = m - A A , where m = mass of nucleus, A = mass number. Packing fraction measures the stability of a nucleus. Smaller the value of packing fraction, larger is the stability of nucleus. Packing fraction may be positive, negative or zero.