Nuclear binding energy (Question 2 (10 Marks)) — UPSC Physics Optional IFoS 2025 Paper II

Using the semi-empirical binding energy formula, establish the relation between atomic number and mass number for a most stable light nucleus. Also, explain which is the most stable nucleus among {}^{3}_{2}\text{He}, {}^{6}_{4}\text{Be} and {}^{6}_{3}\text{Li}. [Given : a_c = 0\cdot 71\text{ MeV}, a_n = 22\cdot 7\text{ MeV} and assume Z(Z-1) \approx Z^2]