Arrange the following nuclei in the ascending order of their stability.

(A) Oxygen $({^{16}_{}O})$ with binding energy 127.5 MeV
(B) Uranium $({^{238}_{}U})$ with binding energy 1808.8 MeV
(C) Helium $({^{4}_{}He})$ with binding energy 28.3 MeV
(D) Iron $({^{56}_{}Fe})$ with binding energy 490 MeV

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(C), (B), (A), (D)

The correct answer is Option (3) → (C), (B), (A), (D)

To compare nuclear stability, use binding energy per nucleon:

Binding energy per nucleon = $\frac{\text{Total binding energy}}{\text{Mass number}}$

Calculate for each nucleus:

(A) Oxygen-16: $BE/A = \frac{127.5}{16} \approx 7.97\ \text{MeV}$

(B) Uranium-238: $BE/A = \frac{1808.8}{238} \approx 7.60\ \text{MeV}$

(C) Helium-4: $BE/A = \frac{28.3}{4} \approx 7.08\ \text{MeV}$

(D) Iron-56: $BE/A = \frac{490}{56} \approx 8.75\ \text{MeV}$

Ascending order of stability (lower binding energy per nucleon → less stable):

Helium-4 < Uranium-238 < Oxygen-16 < Iron-56