The binding energy of a nucleus is a measure of its

The binding energy per nucleon of ${ }_{8}^{16}O$ is $7.97 \text{ MeV}$ and that of ${ }_{8}^{17}O$ is $7.75 \text{ MeV}$. The energy required to remove one neutron from ${ }_{8}^{17}O$ is $\qquad \text{ MeV}$.

The mass of an $\alpha$-particle is . . . . . . .

Two nuclei of mass number $3$ combine with another nucleus of mass number $4$ to yield a nucleus of mass number $10$. If the binding energy per nucleon for the mass numbers $3$, $4$, and $10$ are $5.6 \text{ MeV}$, $7.4 \text{ MeV}$, and $6.1 \text{ MeV}$, respectively, then in the process, $\Delta Mc^2 = . . . . . . \text{ MeV}$.

Draw the nature of the graph of average binding energy per nucleon against atomic mass number and explain its notable points.

The figure shows a plot of binding energy per nucleon $E_b$ against the nuclear mass number $A$. $A, B, C, D, E, F$ correspond to different nuclei. Consider four reactions:
$(i) A + B \to C + \varepsilon$
$(ii) C \to A + B + \varepsilon$
$(iii) D + E \to F + \varepsilon$
$(iv) F \to D + E + \varepsilon$
Here, $\varepsilon$ is the energy released. In which reactions is $\varepsilon$ > 0?