JEE Main 2026 — Nuclear Physics Question with Solution
JEE Main 2026 (24 January Shift 1)
Question
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: For all elements, greater the mass of the nucleus, greater is the binding energy per nucleon.
Statement II: For all elements, nuclei with less binding energy per nucleon transforms to nuclei with greater binding energy per nucleon.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
Statement I: For all elements, greater the mass of the nucleus, greater is the binding energy per nucleon.
Statement II: For all elements, nuclei with less binding energy per nucleon transforms to nuclei with greater binding energy per nucleon.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
Choose an option
Show full solutionCorrect option: D
Correct answer
DStatement I is false but Statement II is true
Step-by-step explanation
Statement I is false because binding energy per nucleon does not increase monotonically with mass number. It peaks at Iron-56 and decreases for heavier elements.
Statement II is true. It describes the fundamental principle of nuclear reactions: fission of heavy nuclei (low BE/A) and fusion of light nuclei (low BE/A) both produce nuclei with higher binding energy per nucleon, releasing energy in the process. Both processes are energetically favorable for the same reason: moving toward higher stability (higher BE/A).
Statement II is true. It describes the fundamental principle of nuclear reactions: fission of heavy nuclei (low BE/A) and fusion of light nuclei (low BE/A) both produce nuclei with higher binding energy per nucleon, releasing energy in the process. Both processes are energetically favorable for the same reason: moving toward higher stability (higher BE/A).
Practice this on the real CBT interface
Solve this JEE Main question (and the rest of the Nuclear Physics chapter) on PrepSharp's TCS iON-style CBT player — with timer, bookmarks and session analytics.
Solve interactively →About this question
This is a previous-year question from JEE Main 2026, covering the Nuclear Physics chapter of Physics. PrepSharp catalogues every PYQ from JEE Main with a verified answer key and step-by-step solution prepared by IIT alumni — so you can search by chapter, topic or year and revise efficiently.