Answer: Kinetic energy.
- A Mass number
- B Charge
- C Kinetic energy
- D Mass-energy (total)
Correct answer: C. Kinetic energy
Explanation: Kinetic energy alone is not conserved in nuclear reactions (some converts to binding energy). Mass-energy (total) is conserved.
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.