Answer: 200 MeV.
- A 1.6 MeV
- B 200 MeV
- C 931 MeV
- D 8 MeV
Correct answer: B. 200 MeV
Explanation: Fission of one uranium-235 nucleus releases about 200 MeV, appearing mainly as kinetic energy of the fragments.
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.