Question

Average body's K-shell binding energy

A. Increases with atomic number
B. Decreases with atomic number
C. Is constant for all elements
D. Varies randomly

Answer 1

The average binding energy of the K-shell in an atom increases with atomic number.

Step-by-step explanation:

The average binding energy of the K-shell in an atom increases with atomic number. This means that as the atomic number increases, the average binding energy per nucleon increases until it reaches about Z = 26, where it levels off, and then it slowly decreases. This can be seen in Figure 21.8.2, where the graph shows that the binding energy per nucleon increases up to Z = 26 and then starts decreasing.