IB Physics SL E.3.3 Binding energy curve Question Bank
Practise IB Physics SL/HL E.3.3 by applying binding energy curve concepts to exam-style physics questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Physics SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- identify the relevant physical quantity, model or diagram
- apply the correct equation and units to the evidence
- justify the result using conservation laws, fields or energy relationships
E.3.3—Binding energy curve question 1
[Maximum number: 5]
This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about renewable energy. Part 2 is about nuclear energy and radioactivity.
A small coastal community decides to use a wind farm consisting of five identical wind turbines to generate part of its energy. At the proposed site, the average wind speed is 8.5 m s−1 and the density of air is 1.3 kg m−3. The maximum power required from the wind farm is 0.75 MW . Each turbine has an efficiency of 30 %.
Question (a)
(a)
On the axes, sketch a graph showing the variation of nucleon number with the binding energy per nucleon.
[ 2 ]
generally correct shape with maximum shown, trending down to U-235; maximum shown somewhere between 40 and 70 ;
Award [0] for straight line with positive gradient from origin.
Award [1] if maximum position correct but graph begins to rise or flatlines beyond or around U-235.
Question (b)
(b)
Explain, with reference to your graph, why energy is released during fission of U-235.
[ 3 ]
identifies fission as occurring at high nucleon number / at right-hand side of graph; fission means that large nucleus splits into two (or more) smaller nuclei/nuclei to left of fissioning nucleus (on graph);
(graph shows that) fission products have higher (average) binding energy per nucleon than U-235;
energy released related to difference between initial and final binding energy; Award [2 max] if no reference to graph.
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