Question

What kind of nuclear reaction is seen in 236 92 U - 144 36 Kr 3p1n A; nuclear fission B; Beta decay C; Alpha decay D; Nuclear fusion

Answer 1

Answer;

A; nuclear fission

Explanation;

• Nuclear fission is a process by which a large nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei, or fission fragments. It takes place after the nucleus absorbs a neutron that usually is a product of another atom's radioactive decay.
• A common fission reaction bombards uranium-235 with a single neutron. This creates a uranium-236 atom which is unstable. Its nucleus tends to split into more stable products like Krypton-90 & Barium-143.
• If you compare the masses before and after reaction, notice that Kr-90 + Ba-143 only = 233. But they were produced from U-236. This is because 3 neutrons were also released.