The binding-energy-per-nucleon curve peaks near mass number A≈56.
(a) Explain, on the basis of the characteristics of nuclear and electrostatic forces, why the binding energy per nucleon rises sharply from hydrogen up to nuclei around A≈56.
(b) State why the binding energy per nucleon decreases slowly for nuclei heavier than A≈56.
(c) Show how the features explained in (a) and (b) account for the possibility of obtaining energy both by fusion of light nuclei and by fission of heavy nuclei.