Consider the neutron–induced fission reaction _0^ 1 n+_ 92 ^ 235 U ; ;_ 56 ^ 141 Ba…

PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Nuclei · Nuclei

Problem

Consider the neutron–induced fission reaction

_0^{1}\text n+_{92}^{235}\text U\;\longrightarrow\;_{56}^{141}\text{Ba}+_{36}^{92}\text{Kr}+3\,_0^{1}\text n

The atomic masses are:

m(_{92}^{235}\text U)=235.043930\,\text u

m(_0^{1}\text n)=1.008665\,\text u

m(_{56}^{141}\text{Ba})=140.914411\,\text u

m(_{36}^{92}\text{Kr})=91.926156\,\text u

. Take

1\,\text u = 931.5\,\text{MeV}/c^{2}

N_{A}=6.022\times10^{23}\,\text{mol}^{-1}

, and

1\,\text{MeV}=1.602\times10^{-13}\,\text J

. (a) Calculate the Q–value of the fission reaction in MeV. (b) Estimate the energy released per mole of

\,_{92}^{235}\text U

that undergoes complete fission. (c) If an ideal reactor could cause complete fission of

1\,\text{kg}

\,_{92}^{235}\text U

, compute the total energy liberated in joules. (d) The combustion of

1\,\text{kg}

of coal yields roughly

3\times10^{7}\,\text J

. Calculate how many kilograms of coal would be required to produce the same amount of energy as in part (c). Comment briefly on the significance of your result.

Related theory

Browse the problem library