The alongside is a plot of binding energy per nucleon `E_(b)` ,against the nuclear mass M,A,B,C,D,E,F correspond to different nuclei. Consider four reactions.
(i) A + B `to` C +` epsilon` (ii) C `to` A + B + `epsilon`
(iii) D + E `to` F + `epsilon` (iv) F `to` D + E + `epsilon` where `epsilon` is the energy released. In which reactions , is `epsilon` positive?

Options

A. (ii) and (iv)
B. (ii) and (iii)
C. (i) and (iv)
D. (i) and (iii)

Answer

C

Explanation

Reactions (i) and (iv) are fusion and fission respectively which release energy, so sign of e is positive. The binding energy per nucleon of products is more than that of each reactants.
`A + B to C + e` fusion reaction.
`F to D + E +e` fission reaction