Inside a large nucleus, a nucleon is affected only by the nucleons close to it, which lie within the range of the nuclear force. This property is called the
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → saturation property of the nuclear force
The nuclear force has a short range. So a nucleon deep inside a large nucleus is bound only by its near neighbours. Adding more nucleons far away does not change its binding.
NCERT (2026-27):
Nuclear binding energy – “… Consider a particular nucleon inside a sufficiently large nucleus. It will be under the influence of only some of its neighbours, which come within the range of the nuclear force. … The property that a given nucleon influences only nucleons close to it is also referred to as saturation property of the nuclear force.”