Nucleus: Practice Problem & Solution

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Nucleus. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Assertion (A) is false. A nucleus with higher *total* binding energy is not necessarily more stable; stability is determined by binding energy *per nucleon*. For example, \(^{238}U\) has more total binding energy than \(^{56}Fe\) but is less stable. Reason (R) is also false. Nuclear stability increases with nucleon number up to (A approx 56) (Iron) and then decreases for heavier nuclei.