Question

Arrange the following elements in the increasing order of their binding energies per nucleon.
A. \(^{4}\text{He}\)
B. \(^{6}\text{Li}\)
C. \(^{14}\text{N}\)
D. \(^{12}\text{C}\)

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A, B, C, D
• B. A, B, D, C
• C. B, A, C, D
• D. B, A, D, C

Hint:

Recall the values: Li-6 about 5.3, He-4 about 7.1, N-14 about 7.5, C-12 about 7.7 MeV per nucleon.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Method: Recall Total Binding Energies:
Use total binding energy divided by mass number. Approximate total binding energies: He-4 is 28.3 MeV, Li-6 is 32.0 MeV, N-14 is 104.7 MeV, C-12 is 92.2 MeV.

Step 2: Divide by A:
He-4: 28.3/4 = 7.07 MeV.
Li-6: 32.0/6 = 5.33 MeV.
N-14: 104.7/14 = 7.48 MeV.
C-12: 92.2/12 = 7.68 MeV.

Step 3: Sort:
From smallest to largest: 5.33 (B), 7.07 (A), 7.48 (C), 7.68 (D).

Step 4: Pick the Option:
The sequence B, A, C, D is printed as option 3. The other options place A before B or reverse C and D, so they are wrong.

Final Answer:
\[\boxed{B, A, C, D}\]