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Question
Explain in brief, nuclear fission.
Solution
- Nuclear fission is a process which involves the splitting of the heavy nucleus of an atom into two nearly equal fragments accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy.
e.g. Nuclear fission of \[\ce{^235U}\] - When a uranium nucleus absorbs neutron, it breaks into two lighter fragments and releases energy (heat), more neutrons, and other radiation. This can be given as,
\[\ce{^235_92U + ^1_0n -> ^142_56Ba + ^91_36Kr + 3^1_0n + Energy}\] - Characteristics of nuclear fission reactions:
- The mass of the fission products is less than the parent nucleus. A large amount of energy corresponding to the mass loss is released in each fission.
- When one uranium 235 nucleus undergoes fission, three neutrons are emitted, which subsequently disintegrate three more uranium nuclei and thereby produce nine neutrons. Such a chain continues by itself.
- In a very short time enormous amount of energy is liberated, which can be utilized for destructive or peaceful purposes.
- The energy released per fission is approximately 200 MeV.
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Calculate the energy released in the following nuclear fusion reaction:
\[\ce{^2_1H + ^2_1H -> ^4_2He + energy}\]
Mass of \[\ce{^2_1H = 2.014102 u}\]
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Find the energy released during the following fission reaction.
\[\ce{_92^235U + _0^1n-> _92^236U->_36^90Kr + _56^143Ba + 3 _0^1n}\]
| Mass(u) | |
| 235U | 235.0439 |
| 90Kr | 89.9195 |
| 143Ba | 142.9206 |
| 1n | 1.0087 |
