Q.

Choose the correct statement(s)

1 The density of nuclear matter is independent of the size of the nucleus.  
2 The binding energy of nuclei first increases and then decreases as its mass number increases.  
3 A free neutron is stable.  
4 A free proton is stable.  

Ans.

(1,2,4)

According to the standard Model, free protons are stable particles because their spontaneous decay has never been observed.

Free neutrons are unstable and decay into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino through a process called beta decay.