Given below are two statements :
**Statement I :** For all elements, greater the mass of the nucleus, greater is the binding energy per nucleon.
**Statement II :** For all elements, nuclei with less binding energy per nucleon transforms to nuclei with greater binding energy per nucleon.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
Answer: (A) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Statement I: The binding energy per nucleon rises up to about $A\approx56$ (iron) and then decreases slowly for heavier nuclei. So it does not keep increasing with mass. False.
Statement II: Nuclear transformations (fission of heavy nuclei, fusion of light nuclei) release energy by forming products with greater binding energy per nucleon, i.e. more stable nuclei. True (as intended by the question).
Solution by Sreeraj P, M.Sc Physics