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Question

U−235 requires a neutron to be bombarded into it to undergo fission because


A

The energy of U-235 increases due to collision with the incoming neutron

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B

The U-235 nucleus absorbs the neutron and becomes U-236 which is highly unstable

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C

The neutron due to its high energy breaks apart the nucleus

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D

None of the above.

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Solution

The correct option is B

The U-235 nucleus absorbs the neutron and becomes U-236 which is highly unstable


First of all, don't try to imagine the scenario from the classical picture like a neutron hitting the nucleus and breaking it apart like a bullet would do to a trick.
U-235 isotope is stable. It doesn't undergo fission. Another isotope of Uranium U-236 is found to be highly unstable which doesn't even exist because as soon as it is formed it fissions.
So, what a neutron basically does is that it is absorbed by a U-235 and U-235 becomes its unstable isotope U-236.
235U+10n236U.
And thus U-236 fissions eventually.


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