Consider the following graph of binding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number.

a. What does this graph tell us about the relative halflives of the nuclides? Explain your answer.
b. Which nuclide shown is the most thermodynamically stable? Which is the least thermodynamically stable?
c. What does this graph tell us about which nuclides undergo fusion and which undergo fission to become more stable? Support your answer.

Transcribed Image Text:

56Fe 84Kr 1Sn 9 160 34 205T1 235U 4N 238U 6 Li He 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 Mass number (A)