Chapter 40, Problem 44A

To determine

Whether the fission or fusion would release more energy from gold, from carbon and from iron.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The release of energy from fission or fusion reaction depends on the mass per nucleon in the nucleus of the element.

The mass per nucleon decreases with increase in the atomic number up to the iron, and it becomes least for iron because the iron has a nucleus. The mass per nucleon increases with the increase in atomic number beyond the iron.

The mass per nucleon of the gold nucleus is less. So, the gold can only release energy by the nuclear fission. The mass per nucleon of the carbon is greater. So, the carbon can only release energy by the fusion with less massive nuclei than carbon.

The mass per nucleon is least for the iron; it requires high input energy for fusion or fission. So, the iron does not release energy by fission or fusion.

Conclusion:

Thus, the gold would release energy by the fission reaction, carbon by the fusion.