Q 12-13-071JEE MainJEE Main 2023 (13 Apr, Shift 2)Easy
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
**Assertion A:** The binding energy per nucleon is practically independent of the atomic number for nuclei of mass number in the range 30 to 170.
**Reason R:** Nuclear force is short ranged.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
Answer: (B) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
The binding energy curve is nearly flat (about $8.5\ \text{MeV}$) for $30<A<170$. Because nuclear forces are short ranged, each nucleon interacts only with its near neighbours, so the binding energy per nucleon saturates. R explains A.
Solution by Sreeraj P, M.Sc Physics