Question

U-235 undergoes many different fission reactions. For one such reaction, when U-235 is struck with a neutron, Ce-144 and Sr-90 are produced along with some neutrons and electrons. How many neutrons and -particles are produced in this fission reaction?

Answer 1

Explanation:

A nuclear fission reaction is defined as the reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits into small nuclei along with release of energy.

The given reaction is $^{235}_{92}U + ^{1}_{0}n \rightarrow ^{144}_{58}Ce + ^{90}_{38}Sr + x^{1}_{0}n + y^{0}_{-1}\beta$

Now, we balance the mass on both reactant and product side as follows.

         235 + 1 = $144 + 90 + (x \times 1) + (y \times 0)$

           236 = 234 + x

            x = 236 -234

               = 2

So, now we balance the charge on both reactant and product side as follows.

              92 + 0 = $58 + 38 + (x \times 0) + (y \times -1)$

                92 = 96 - y

                  y = 4

Thus, we can conclude that there are 2 neutrons and 4 beta-particles are produced in the given reaction.

Therefore, reaction equation will be as follows.

           $^{235}_{92}U + ^{1}_{0}n \rightarrow ^{144}_{58}Ce + ^{90}_{38}Sr + 2^{1}_{0}n + 4^{0}_{-1}\beta$