2002 AIPMT NucleiNuclear fusion Easy Question 4 of 4 in Nuclear fusion

Which of the following are suitable for the fusion process : -

A Light nuclei
B Heavy nuclei
C Element must be lying in the middle of the periodic table
D Middle elements, which are lying on binding energy curve

The answer is A.

Solution

On the binding energy per nucleon curve, light nuclei (such as hydrogen isotopes) have low binding energy per nucleon.
When two light nuclei fuse, the product has a higher binding energy per nucleon, so energy is released.
Heavy nuclei release energy by fission (splitting), not fusion. Middle elements (around iron, A $\approx$ 56) are the most stable and release no energy by either process.
So light nuclei are suitable for the fusion process.

Concept Binding energy curve and fusion

Nuclear fusion in past papers

4 questions from this chapter have appeared across 4 exam years.