Note:

For this question in Jee paper, there was no correct option given, hence one of the options is replaced by the correct one.

Concept:

Energy absorbed or released in a nuclear reaction is given by;

ΔQ = Binding energy of products – Binding energy of reactants.

If energy is absorbed, ΔQ is negative and if it is positive then energy is released.

Also, Binding energy = Binding energy per nucleon × number of nucleons.

Calculation:

Given reaction is

Ne²⁰ → 2He⁴ + C¹²

Binding energy per nucleon of Ne²⁰ is 8.03 MeV

Number of nucleon in Ne²⁰ is 20

Binding energy per nucleon of He⁴ is 7.07 MeV

Number of nucleon in He⁴ is 4

Binding energy per nucleon of C¹² is 7.86 MeV

Number of nucleon in C¹² is 12

Here, binding energy of products i.e., 2(He)⁴ + C¹² is

= 2 × (B.E of He⁴) + (B.E of C¹²)

= 2(4 × 7.07) + (12 × 7.86)

= 2 × 28.28 + 94.32

= 56.56 + 94.32

= 150.88 MeV

And binding energy of reactants, i.e., Ne²⁰ is

= 20 × 8.03 = 160.6 MeV

So, ΔQ = (B.E)_Products – (B.E)_reactants

= 150.88 – 160.6 = -9.72 MeV

As ΔQ is negative,

∴ Energy of 9.72 MeV is absorbed in the reaction.