Question

A nucleus's binding energy is the energy that must be supplied to form a nucleus from its individual nucleons. TRUE FALSE

Answer 1

The answer is FALSE.

Step-by-step explanation:

The binding energy is the energy RELEASED when a nucleus forms from its individual nucleons. It is also the energy that must be supplied to break a nucleus completely apart into its individual nucleons.

Answer 2

True

Step-by-step explanation:

Given any given nucleus, the energy released upon its formation from its protons and neutrons separated from an infinite distance or, whatever, the energy that must be supplied to that nucleus to separate its protons and neutrons (which are called nucleons) of infinite distance is what is called the binding energy of such a nucleus. For this reason, we can say that the binding energy of a nucleus is the energy that must be supplied to form a nucleus from its individual nucleons.