Iron-56 is often cited as the most stable nucleus

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics

Problem

Iron-56 is often cited as the most stable nucleus. The binding energy per nucleon for nuclei in the vicinity of •

^{56}\!\text{Fe}

(

A=56

) is

8.8\,\text{MeV}

, •

^{28}\!\text{Si}

(

A=28

) is

8.4\,\text{MeV}

. Answer the following questions. (i) Calculate the energy change per nucleon if one

^{56}\!\text{Fe}

nucleus were to split into two identical

^{28}\!\text{Si}

nuclei. State whether energy would be absorbed or released. (ii) Calculate the energy change per nucleon if two

^{28}\!\text{Si}

nuclei fuse to form one

^{56}\!\text{Fe}

nucleus. (iii) Using your calculations, provide a quantitative argument to show why

^{56}\!\text{Fe}

lies at the peak of nuclear stability.