An excited Uranium 236U nucleus decays into Xenon 140 Xe and

An excited Uranium (236:U) nucleus decays into Xenon (140: Xe) and Strontium (94:Sr) . Write the balanced reaction equation. How much is the mass reduction from Uranium nucleus to Xenon and Strontium pair? How much is the energy released per fission?

Solution

236 U -> 140 Xe + 94 Sr + 2n

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left side, m1 = 236.045568 u

right side, m2 = 139.92164 + 93.915361 + 2(1.008664915) = 235.8543308 u

mass reduction = m1 - m2 = 0.191237 amu ....Ans

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1 amu equivalents to 931.5 MeV energ.

energy released = 0.191237 u x 931.5 MeV/u = 178.14 MeV