Why is the binding energy per nucleon lower in very heavy nuclei compared to 56Fe26 ?
Correct answer: B. Coulomb repulsion between protons increases
- A. Increased neutron excess reduces stability
- B. Coulomb repulsion between protons increases
- C. The strong nuclear force becomes stronger
- D. The nucleus has fewer nucleons
Explanation
In heavy nuclei, the large number of protons increases Coulomb repulsion, which weakens the net binding effect of the strong nuclear force, reducing the binding energy per nucleon compared to 26Fe56.
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