Question

A nuclear reaction is represented by the following equation:
${}_{92}{}^{235}\mathrm{U}+{}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}\underset{}{\overset{}{\to }}{}_{56}{}^{139}\mathrm{Ba}+{}_{36}{}^{94}\mathrm{Kr}+xc+E$

(a) Name the process represented by this equation and describe what takes place in this reaction
(b) Identify the particle c and the number x of such particles produced in the reaction.
(c) What does E represent?
(d) Name one installation where the above nuclear reaction is utilised.
(e) What type of bomb is based on similar type of reaction?

Answer 1

(a) The process represents nuclear fission.
In this process, a heavy nucleus of uranium splits into two smaller nuclei of barium and krypton when bombarded with low-energy neutrons. A tremendous amount of energy is also produced.
(b) Particle c is a neutron and x is equal to 3.
(c) E represents the tremendous amount of energy that is liberated in the reaction.
(d) The given reaction is utilised in nuclear power stations.
(e) An atom bomb is based on a similar type of reaction.