Question

Part complete When a 235 92U nucleus is bombarded by neutrons (10n) it undergoes a fission reaction, resulting in the formation of two new nuclei and neutrons. The following equation is an example of one such fission process: 235 92U+10n→AZBa+9436Kr+310n
Enter the isotope symbol for the barium (Ba) nucleus in this reaction.In another process in which 235 92U undergoes neutron bombardment, the following reaction occurs:235 92U+10n --> AZSr+143 54Xe+310nEnter the isotope symbol for the strontium (Sr) nucleus in this reaction.

Answer 1

Answer: The isotopic symbol of barium is $_{56}^{138}\textrm{Ba}$ and that of strontium is $_{38}^{89}\textrm{Sr}$

Explanation:

Nuclear fission reactions are defined as the reactions in which a heavier nuclei breaks down in two or more smaller nuclei.

In a nuclear reaction, the total mass and total atomic number remains the same.

• For the given fission reaction:

$^{235}_{92}\textrm{U}+^1_0\textrm{n}\rightarrow ^A_Z\textrm{Ba}+^{94}_{36}\textrm{Kr}+3^1_0\textrm{n}$

• To calculate A:

Total mass on reactant side = total mass on product side

235 + 1 = A + 94 + 3

A = 139

• To calculate Z:

Total atomic number on reactant side = total atomic number on product side

92 + 0 = Z + 36 + 0

Z = 56

The isotopic symbol of barium is $_{56}^{139}\textrm{Ba}$

• For the given fission reaction:

$^{235}_{92}\textrm{U}+^1_0\textrm{n}\rightarrow ^A_Z\textrm{Sr}+^{143}_{54}\textrm{Xe}+3^1_0\textrm{n}$

• To calculate A:

Total mass on reactant side = total mass on product side

235 + 1 = A + 143 + 3

A = 90

• To calculate Z:

Total atomic number on reactant side = total atomic number on product side

92 + 0 = Z + 54 + 0

Z = 38

The isotopic symbol of strontium is $_{38}^{89}\textrm{Sr}$

Hence, the isotopic symbol of barium is $_{56}^{138}\textrm{Ba}$ and that of strontium is $_{38}^{89}\textrm{Sr}$