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This item has Statement-1 and Statement-2. From the four alternatives below, select the one that most accurately describes the pair of statements. Statement-1: Energy is liberated when a very heavy nucleus splits into smaller fragments or when two light nuclei combine. Statement-2: For heavy nuclei, binding energy per nucleon rises as Z increases, whereas for light nuclei it falls as Z increases.

1. Statement-1 is incorrect, Statement-2 is correct
2. Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct; Statement-2 correctly explains Statement-1
3. Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct; Statement-2 does not correctly explain Statement-1
4. Statement-1 is correct, Statement-2 is incorrect

Correct answer: Statement-1 is incorrect, Statement-2 is correct

Solution

Statement-1 is incorrect because energy is actually released during nuclear fission of heavy nuclei and fusion of light nuclei, but the phrasing may imply a misunderstanding of the processes. Statement-2 is correct as it accurately describes the trend in binding energy per nucleon for heavy and light nuclei.

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