How does the binding energy per nucleon behave for atomic nuclei with mass numbers in the intermediate range around fifty to eighty compared to very light or very heavy nuclei?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Nuclei with mass numbers between fifty and eighty exhibit the highest binding energy per nucleon, approximately 8.5 megaelectronvolts, which corresponds to maximum nuclear stability and explains why iron and nickel are end products of stellar nucleosynthesis. Very light nuclei can release energy via fusion, whereas very heavy nuclei release energy via fission to approach this stable plateau. The semi-empirical mass formula accounts for volume, surface, Coulomb, asymmetry, and pairing energies.