Chapter 40, Problem 27A

To determine

The ranking of the nuclei undergoes fission by the reduction in mass from greatest to least.

Answer to Problem 27A

The ranking of the nuclei undergoes fission by the reduction in mass from greatest to least is A, B, C, D.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The mass per nucleon most prominent for lightest cores, least for iron and has an intermediate amount for the heaviest nuclei.

The mass per nucleon for iron is least for iron in the figure, so the reduction in the mass of iron is least.

The mass per nucleon keeps increases for a nucleus that has a greater value of an atomic number. The figure shows that greater the atomic number greater is the reduction in the mass of the nuclei after the iron.

The atomic number of Uranium is greatest among the given nuclei, so the reduction in mass is greatest for Uranium and least for iron.

The reduction in mass of radium and gold follow Uranium from greatest to least.

Conclusion:

Thus, the ranking of the nuclei undergoes fission by the reduction in mass from greatest to leastis A, B, C, D.