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A nuclear fission reaction is represented by the following statement - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 11 - 2018
Question 11
A nuclear fission reaction is represented by the following statement. $$ \begin{aligned} & { }^{1}_{0}n + \;{ }^{235}_{92}U \rightarrow \;{ }^{144}_{56}Ba + X + 3 ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A nuclear fission reaction is represented by the following statement - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 11 - 2018
Step 1
Determine the Total Atomic Number and Mass Number
Answer
First, identify the atomic numbers and mass numbers in the reaction.
- For the reactants:
- Neutron: Atomic number = 0, Mass number = 1
- Uranium-235: Atomic number = 92, Mass number = 235
Total atomic number = 0 + 92 = 92 Total mass number = 1 + 235 = 236
Step 2
Calculate the Products’ Atomic and Mass Numbers
Answer
For the products:
- Barium-144: Atomic number = 56, Mass number = 144
- Let the atomic number of X be Z and the mass number be A. The reaction also produces 3 neutrons (total atomic number = 0, total mass = 3).
Setting up equations:
- Total atomic number: 56 + Z + 0 = 92 → Z = 36
- Total mass number: 144 + A + 3 = 236 → A = 89
Step 3