1. Consider the binding energy per nucleon for 16-O and 56-Fe. Would you expect the fusion reactions leading from 16-O to 56-Fe to be exoergic (giving off energy), endoergic (absorbing energy), or neither?
2. Consider the binding energy per nucleon for 56-Fe and 208-Pb. Would you expect the fusion reactions leading from 56-Fe to 208-Pb to be exoergic, endoergic, or neither?
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iron (Fe) has the lowest binding energy per nucleon of any element
fusing light elements (stars, H-bomb) releases energy
fissioning (splitting) heavy elements (nuclear power, A-bomb) also releases energy
To determine whether the fusion reactions between different nuclei are exoergic (giving off energy), endoergic (absorbing energy), or neither, you need to compare the binding energy per nucleon of the reactants to that of the products.
1. The binding energy per nucleon for 16-O (oxygen-16) is approximately 7.98 MeV, while for 56-Fe (iron-56) is approximately 8.79 MeV.
Since the binding energy per nucleon of 56-Fe is higher than that of 16-O, the fusion reaction from 16-O to 56-Fe is exoergic, meaning it releases energy.
2. The binding energy per nucleon for 56-Fe is approximately 8.79 MeV, while for 208-Pb (lead-208) is approximately 7.87 MeV.
In this case, the binding energy per nucleon of 56-Fe is higher than that of 208-Pb, indicating that the fusion reaction from 56-Fe to 208-Pb is also exoergic.
So, in both cases, the fusion reactions are exoergic, meaning they release energy.
I hope this explanation helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
To determine whether fusion reactions are exoergic or endoergic, we need to compare the binding energies per nucleon of the reactants (initial nuclei) and the products (final nuclei). Higher binding energy per nucleon indicates greater stability and therefore a more favorable reaction.
1. For the fusion reactions from 16-O to 56-Fe:
- Find the binding energy per nucleon for 16-O and 56-Fe.
- Compare the values: if the binding energy per nucleon of 56-Fe is higher than that of 16-O, the fusion reactions would be exoergic (giving off energy) because the product has greater stability. If the binding energy per nucleon of 56-Fe is lower than that of 16-O, the reactions would be endoergic (absorbing energy) because the product is less stable.
2. For the fusion reactions from 56-Fe to 208-Pb:
- Find the binding energy per nucleon for 56-Fe and 208-Pb.
- Compare the values: if the binding energy per nucleon of 208-Pb is higher than that of 56-Fe, the fusion reactions would be exoergic, as the product is more stable. If the binding energy per nucleon of 208-Pb is lower than that of 56-Fe, the reactions would be endoergic.
To find the binding energy per nucleon, you can use known data, such as the atomic masses and atomic numbers of the nuclei. There are tables and databases available that provide these values. One commonly used source is the Nuclear Wallet Cards by the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC).
By comparing the binding energies per nucleon, you can determine whether the fusion reactions are exoergic (releasing energy), endoergic (absorbing energy), or neither.