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Use this graph to explain the release of energy in both the processes of nuclear fusion and fission |
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Answer» Solution :Mass of NUCLEUS (M)=mass of its nucleons -bindingenergy (B) So, M decreases with increase in B. Now , we consider nuclear FISSION : `1 to 2+ 3`. From mass-energyequivalence , `M_1=M_2+M_3` + energy release (Q) or , `Q=M_1-M_2-M_3` Clearly , Q is positive , i.e., energy is actually released if `M_1 gt M_2+ M_3 `, i.e., `B_1 lt B_2 + B_3` or `A_1e_1 lt A_2e_2 + A_3e_3` where `A_1,A_2,A_3` are mass numbers `(A_1=A_2+A_3)`and `e_1, e_2 , e_3` are bindingenergy per nucleon. From the plot, we see that this condition is satisfied for high `A_1`, where both `e_2` and `e_3` are higher than `e_1` of the large nucleus1. `therefore` Fission of a large nucleus releases energy . On the other hand , for low A nuclei , `e_2`and `e_3` will be less than `e_1` of the larger nucleus 1. So, energy will be released rather in the opposite process : 2 + 3 `to` 1 . Therefore , FUSION of small nuclei releases energy . |
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