Question

When a neutron (n) collides with a uranium-235 nucleus it can induce a variety of fission reactions. One such reaction is U + n → Xe + Sr + 2n. How much energy is released in this reaction, given the following mass values: Xe: 139.921620 u Sr : 93.915367 u U: 235.043924 u n: 1.008665 u (1 u = 931.494 MeV/c2)

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Since, the given reaction is
`U + n \rightarrow Xe + Sr + 2n`

Sum of masses on both reactant and product side is as follows.

235.043924 + 1.008665 = 139.921620 + 93.915367 + (2 × 1.008665)

= 0.198272 u

As it is known that relation between energy and mass is as follows.

Energy produced =
`\Delta m c^(2)`

Since, 1 u = 931.494 MeV/
`c^(2)`. Putting this value into the above formula as follows.

Energy produced =
`\Delta m c^(2)`

=
`0.198272 * (931.494)/(c^(2)) * c^(2)`

= 184.69 MeV

As 1 MeV equals
`1.602 * 10^(-13)` joules.

Hence, 184.69 MeV will be converted into joules as follows.

`184.69 MeV * (1.602 * 10^(-13)J)/(1 MeV)`

=
`295.87 * 10^(-13)` J

=
`2.95 * 10^(-17)` J

Thus, we can conclude that energy released in this reaction is
`2.95 * 10^(-15)` J.