Question

When the number of nucleons in the nucleus increases the binding energy per nucleon?

Answer 1

Binding energy per nucleon gives an idea about the stability of the nucleus. It is defined as the energy required to be supplied to separate one nucleon from thw nucleus. Obviously, different nucleons will have different values, but the binding emergy per nucleon is an average value, and is significant enough to draw conclusions from.

Higher the binding emergy per nucleon, higher is the energy required to pull out a nucleon, thereby signifying that higher is the stability of the nucleus.

Answer 2

The maximum binding energy per nucleon occurs at around mass number A = 50, and corresponds to the most stable nuclei. Iron nucleus Fe56is located close to the peak with a binding energy per nucleon value of approximately 8.8 MeV.