Question

Suppose three neutrons are released when an atom in a sample of fissionable nuclei undergoes fission. Each of these neutrons has enough energy to cause another fission reaction in another nucleus of the material. If the reaction is not controlled, how many atoms will have undergone fission after a series of five additional nuclear fission?

Answer 1

Answer: In total 5 atoms have undergone nuclear fission reaction when the reaction gets uncontrolled.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nuclear fission reactions are one of the nuclear reactions in which heavier nuclei splits into two or more lighter nuclei. In these reactions, neutrons are released with a large amount of energy.

General equation for nuclear fission reactions is given by:

`_Z^A\textrm{X}\rightarrow _(Z-U)^(A-V)\textrm{Y}+_U^V\textrm{W}+3_0^1n+\text{Energy}`

In the question, it is given that in a fissionable sample, when 1 atom undergoes fission 3 neutrons are released and we need to find the number of atoms when five additional nuclear fission reactions occur.

When in a nuclear fission reactions, 1 atom is undergoing fission.

Hence, in 5 nuclear fission reactions, (5 × 1) = 5 atoms will undergo fission.

Therefore, the correct answer is 5 atoms.