Moderate

Why is 56Fe26 considered one of the most stable nuclei?

Correct answer: B. It has the highest binding energy per nucleon

  • A. It has the highest number of protons
  • B. It has the highest binding energy per nucleon
  • C. It undergoes spontaneous fission
  • D. It has equal numbers of protons and neutrons

Explanation

26Fe56 has one of the highest binding energies per nucleon (~8.79 MeV), indicating strong nuclear stability. High binding energy means more energy is required to break the nucleus apart, making it less likely to undergo spontaneous decay.

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Atomic nuclei contain protons and neutrons, with nuclear size, mass defect and binding energy describing their stability. The work covers alpha, beta and gamma decay, decay equations, half-life and decay rate, along with radiation safety and medical applications such as imaging, radiotherapy and tracers.

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