Answer: 931.5 MeV.
- A 1 MeV
- B 931.5 MeV
- C 9.31 eV
- D 1 GeV
Correct answer: B. 931.5 MeV
Explanation: 1 amu = 1.66 x 10<sup>-27</sup> kg. E = mc<sup>2</sup> = 931.5 MeV. This is important for nuclear energy calculations.
Binding energy per nucleon rises sharply for light nuclei, peaks around iron-56 (the most stable nucleus), then slowly declines for heavier nuclei - which is exactly why fusing light nuclei or splitting heavy nuclei both release energy: each moves the products toward this stability peak.
Concept context
Radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, and binding energy.