David Sang and Graham Jones Solutions for Chapter: Nuclear Physics, Exercise 7: Questions

Use the binding energy graph (Figure) to suggest why fission is unlikely to occur with 'light nuclei' $(A<20)$ and why fusion is unlikely to occur for heavier nuclei $(A>40)$.

Use the information given in the fusion section, to determine the binding energy (in $\mathrm{MeV}$ ) per nucleon of each particle in the following fusion reaction: ${}_1{}^2\mathrm{H}+{}_1{}^1\mathrm{p}\to {}_2{}^3\mathrm{He}$.

(Use:The binding energy of deuterium nucleus is $2.2 \mathrm{MeV}$, and the binding energy of helium-$3$ nucleus is $7.7 \mathrm{MeV}$.)