Q. 5.44 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

In another fission reaction, uranium- $235$ bombarded with a neutron produces strontium-$94$, another small nucleus, and three neutrons. Write the balanced nuclear equation for the fission reaction.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The balanced nuclear equation for the fission reaction  ${}_0{}^{1}n + {}_{92}{}^{235}U \to {}_{36}{}^{91}Kr + {}_{56}{}^{142}Ba +3 {}_0{}^{1}n + Energy$

Step 1: Introduction

Nuclear fission is the splitting of a large atom, such as uranium.$-235$, By bombarding it with subatomic particles, it can be broken down into a multitude of smaller fragments, releasing a large amount of energy. When it comes to uranium, $-235$ When a proton is absorbed, it breaks into two smaller nuclei, multiple neutrons, and more energy. A standard nuclear fission equation is as follows:

Step 2: Explanation

${}_0{}^{1}n + {}_{92}{}^{235}U \to {}_{36}{}^{91}Kr + {}_{56}{}^{142}Ba +3 {}_0{}^{1}n + Energy$

The number of high-energy neutrons capable of breaking more uranium atoms in a chain reaction rapidly grows as fission progresses.