Nuclear Fission
Q12.
(a) The unstable uranium nucleus
is produced in a nuclear reactor.
(i) Complete the equation which shows the formation of![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/uranium236.png)
+ ![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/neutronRED.png)
![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/arrow.png)
![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/uranium236.png)
![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/ticksmall.png)
(ii)
can decay by nuclear fission in many different ways. Complete the equation which shows one possible decay channel.
![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/arrow.png)
+
+
![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/ticksmall.png)
(2 marks)
(b) Calculate the energy released, in MeV, in the fission reaction.
Atomic mass of
= 144.92694u
Δm = mU – mBa – mKr – 4mn
Δm = 236.04573 – 144.92694 – 86.91340 – 4 × 1.00867 ![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/ticksmall.png)
Δm = 0.17071u ![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/ticksmall.png)
Q = 0.17071 × 931.3MeV
Q = 159 MeV ![](../../../../graphics/symbols/nuclides/ticksmall.png)
(3 marks)
(Total 5 marks)