Physics

Problem

Consider the following nuclei and their measured nuclear masses: (i)

^{56}_{26}\mathrm{Fe}

55.934939\,\text{u}

(ii)

^{58}_{28}\mathrm{Ni}

57.935342\,\text{u}

(iii)

^{62}_{28}\mathrm{Ni}

61.928345\,\text{u}

(iv)

^{4}_{2}\mathrm{He}

4.001506\,\text{u}

Take

m_p = 1.007276\,\text{u}

m_n = 1.008665\,\text{u}

and

1\,\text{u} = 931\,\text{MeV}/c^2

. Which of these nuclei has the highest binding energy per nucleon? a)

^{56}\mathrm{Fe}

^{4}\mathrm{He}

^{62}\mathrm{Ni}

^{58}\mathrm{Ni}