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Nuclear Fission

Q12.

(a) The unstable uranium nucleus is produced in a nuclear reactor.

(i) Complete the equation which shows the formation of

+

You should know this from GCSE!

(ii) can decay by nuclear fission in many different ways. Complete the equation which shows one possible decay channel.

+ +

proton number: 92 = 56 + ?

? = 92 - 56 = 36

nucleon number: 236 = 145 + ? + 4

? = 236 - 149 = 87

(2 marks)

(b) Calculate the energy released, in MeV, in the fission reaction.

Atomic mass of = 144.92694u

Δm = mU – mBa – mKr – 4mn

electron masses balance so they do not need to be included!

Δm = 236.04573 – 144.92694 – 86.91340 – 4 × 1.00867

Δm = 0.17071u

Q = 0.17071 × 931.3MeV

Q = 159 MeV

(3 marks)

(Total 5 marks)