Question

Is it easier to take out a nucleon (a) from carbon or from iron (b) from iron or from lead?

Answer 1

Your question is from the topic MODERN PHYSICS

It's answer will depend upon Binding energy concept,

Now if you have seen the graph of BINDING ENERGY per NUCLEON then it's a semi circular curve approximately with elements like IRON, COBALT, NICKEL on the top of the curve in the middle,

Now binding energy is actually the energy released when the separate nucleons combined together to form nucleus,

Actually you have read the concept of mass defect,

Actually it is nothing but just like in a hydrogen atom when electron comes to a lower excited state it releases energy but when it goes to the higher excited state it gains energy from photons,

So as the electrons is closer to the nucleus it makes the hydrogen atom stable

Similarly when nucleons exist independently in space they have certain mass and energy but when they combine by strong nuclear attraction force in the nucleus they release energy due to stable configuration

Nucleus also have several excited state like an atom and nucleons revolve on these orbits or excited state just like electrons in hydrogen atom,

So, as much the stable configuration of the nucleus forms after nucleons combined, more energy they will release,

So when you have to take out a nucleon you have to actually provide the same amount of energy from outside to the nucleus as it was released during formation of nucleus

(for more knowledge :- such energy or binding energy are so large that you cannot imagine,

You need to provide crores of degree Celsius of temperature from outside which is even more than the temperature on sun's outer surface

This is the concept in nuclear bombs )

So, in place of using total binding energy we actually use binding energy per nucleons which provides better ideas of stability of nucleus,

(a) from carbon it will be easier as

you can see from graph, binding energy per nucleon is greater for Iron ( so it is more stable nucleus and requires more energy from outside)

(b) from lead, same reason as above

See the graph in the attachment

Answered by an IIT JEE ASPIRANT and all India mathematics OLYMPIAD TOPPER in class 10th

If still you have any doubt or if my answer is incorrect then ask me anytime

Answer 2

Linking energy per nucleon is known as the energy needed to separate a nucleon from it.

Explanation:

(a) Since the energy of Binding per iron nucleon is higher than that of carbon, the removal of a nucleon from carbon is simpler than iron.

(b) Since the energy of Binding per iron nucleon is higher than that of lead. Hence, the removal of a nucleon from lead is easier compared with iron.

Binding energy:-  Energy of Binding means energy generated from electromagnetic interaction with an atom

To know more about nucleon, visit:

What is the difference between nucleus and nucleons?

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