Consider the two processes below

PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Modern Physics · Modern Physics

Problem

Consider the two processes below. Average binding energies per nucleon are provided in parentheses. Process I (fusion):

^{2}\mathrm{H}

(

1.1\,\text{MeV}

)

+\;^{2}\mathrm{H}

(

1.1\,\text{MeV}

)

\rightarrow\;^{4}\mathrm{He}

(

7.0\,\text{MeV}

) Process II (fission):

^{238}\mathrm{U}

(

7.6\,\text{MeV}

)

\rightarrow\;2\,^{119}\mathrm{Sn}

(

8.4\,\text{MeV}

) Ignoring other energy effects, which statement correctly compares the energy released per nucleon by the two processes? (a) Process II releases more energy per nucleon than Process I (b) Both processes release approximately the same energy per nucleon (c) Process I releases more energy per nucleon than Process II (d) Neither process releases energy; both absorb energy

Related theory

Nuclear Binding Energy
Mass defect and binding energy
Nuclear physics
Nuclei

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