The uranium isotope 235U can fission—break into two smaller-masscomponents and free neutrons—if it is struck by a free neutron. A typical reaction is 1/0n + 235/92U → 141/56Ba + 92/36Kr + 3/1/0nAs you can see, the subscripts (the number of protons) and the superscripts (the number of nucleons) “balance” before and after the fission event; there is no change in the number of protons or neutrons. Significant energy is released in this reaction. If a fission event happens in a large chunk of 235U, the neutrons released may induce the fission of other 235U atoms, resulting in a chain reaction. This is how a nuclear reactor works. The number of neutrons required to create a stable nucleus increases with atomic number. When the heavy 235U nucleus fissions, the lighter reaction products are thus neutron rich and are likely unstable. Many of the short-lived radioactive nuclei used in medicine are produced in fission reactions in nuclear reactors. If a 238/92U nucleus is struck by a neutron, it may absorb the neutron. The resulting nucleus then rapidly undergoes betaminus decay. The daughter nucleus of that decay isA. 239/91Pa B. 239/92U C. 239/93Np D. 239/94Pu
The uranium isotope 235U can fission—break into two smaller-mass
components and free neutrons—if it is struck by a free neutron. A typical reaction is
1/0n + 235/92U → 141/56Ba + 92/36Kr + 3/1/0n
As you can see, the subscripts (the number of protons) and the superscripts (the number of nucleons) “balance” before and after the fission event; there is no change in the number of protons or neutrons. Significant energy is released in this reaction. If a fission event happens in a large chunk of 235U, the neutrons released may induce the fission of other 235U atoms, resulting in a chain reaction. This is how a nuclear reactor works. The number of neutrons required to create a stable nucleus increases with atomic number. When the heavy 235U nucleus fissions, the lighter reaction products are thus neutron rich and are likely unstable. Many of the short-lived radioactive nuclei used in medicine are produced in fission reactions in nuclear reactors.
If a 238/92U nucleus is struck by a neutron, it may absorb the neutron. The resulting nucleus then rapidly undergoes betaminus decay. The daughter nucleus of that decay is
A. 239/91Pa B. 239/92U C. 239/93Np D. 239/94Pu
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
