Name: Composition of Nucleus
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 1 min 54 s
Description: The atomic nucleus is the small, dense region of protons and neutrons at the centre of an atom. Here we will study the composition of the nucleus.

Question

Explain what are nuclear fission and fusion giving an example of each. Write down the formulae for energy generated in each of these processes.

Accepted Answer

Fission is a nuclear reaction that occurs when a neutron hits a larger atom, forcing it to split into two smaller atoms which are also known as fission products. If additional neutrons are released then a chain reaction can also be initiated. When the atom splits, a huge amount of energy is released. The equation of fission is given below.
$n_{0}^{1} + U_{92}^{235} \overset{}{\to} {Ba}_{56}^{141} + {Kr}_{36}^{92} + 3 n_{0}^{1}$

The total mass of product nuclei is always less than that of the parent nuclei. The energy equivalent of this difference appears as the kinetic energy of products. The formula for the energy generated in the above process can be written as:

$Q = (m_{u} - m_{B a} - m_{K r} - 3 m_{n}) c^{2}$

A fusion reaction is a nuclear reaction where two light nuclei join to form a heavier nucleus. The weight of the heavier nucleus formed may be slightly less than the sum of the two light nuclei, and the weight difference is released in the form of energy. A huge amount of energy is released in the case of fusion also. The equation of fusion is given below.
${}_{1}^{2}H + {}_{1}^{2}H \overset{}{\to} {}_{2}^{4}{He} + Energy$

The energy released is the energy equivalent of the difference of masses and is given for the above process as:

$Q = (2 m_{{}_{1}^{2}H} - m_{{}_{2}^{4}H e}) c^{2}$

Explain what are nuclear fission and fusion giving an example of each. Write down the formulae for energy generated in each of these processes.

Important Questions on Structure of Atoms and Nuclei

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