The dependence of binding energy per nucleon,$B_N$ on the mass number,$A$,is represented by

The average binding energy per nucleon in the nucleus of an atom is approximately

As the mass number increases, the binding energy per nucleon .....

Answer the following questions:
$(a)$ Are the equations of nuclear reactions 'balanced' in the sense a chemical equation (e.g.,$2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O$) is? If not,in what sense are they balanced on both sides?
$(b)$ If both the number of protons and the number of neutrons are conserved in each nuclear reaction,in what way is mass converted into energy (or vice-versa) in a nuclear reaction?
$(c)$ $A$ general impression exists that mass-energy interconversion takes place only in nuclear reactions and never in chemical reactions. This is strictly speaking,incorrect. Explain.

The plot of binding energy per nucleon against the mass number for stable nuclei is shown in the figure. Which curve is correct?

Derive the formula for the binding energy of a nucleus by explaining the mass defect of the nucleus and write the formula for the binding energy per nucleon.