Which of the following nuclei is having highest binding energy per nucleon?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → \( {}^{32}_{16}\mathrm{S} \)
The binding energy per nucleon rises quickly for light nuclei and reaches its peak near mass number 56 (iron). Among the given nuclei, the one with the largest mass number (still below 56) has the highest value.
\( {}^{4}_{2}\mathrm{He} \): about 7.07 MeV
\( {}^{12}_{6}\mathrm{C} \): about 7.68 MeV
\( {}^{16}_{8}\mathrm{O} \): about 7.98 MeV
\( {}^{32}_{16}\mathrm{S} \): about 8.49 MeV
So \( {}^{32}_{16}\mathrm{S} \) has the highest binding energy per nucleon.