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Energy released in nuclear fission is due to
A
Some mass is converted into energy
B
Total binding energy of fragments is more than the B.E. of parent element
C
Total B.E. of fragments is less than the B.E. of parent element
D
Total B.E. of fragments is equal to the B.E. of parent element
Detailed Solution
In fission, a heavy nucleus (e.g. U-235, with binding energy per nucleon about 7.6 MeV) splits into two medium nuclei with higher binding energy per nucleon (about 8.5 MeV).
So the total binding energy of the fragments is greater than the binding energy of the parent nucleus. The difference is released as energy (about 200 MeV per fission).
Equivalently, the total mass of the products is less than that of the reactants, but the statement that specifically explains why energy is released is the binding energy statement.
So, as per the answer key, energy is released because the total binding energy of the fragments is more than the binding energy of the parent element.
So the total binding energy of the fragments is greater than the binding energy of the parent nucleus. The difference is released as energy (about 200 MeV per fission).
Equivalently, the total mass of the products is less than that of the reactants, but the statement that specifically explains why energy is released is the binding energy statement.
So, as per the answer key, energy is released because the total binding energy of the fragments is more than the binding energy of the parent element.