Question

What is nuclear fission? Name the particle used for it. Write one fission reaction.

Answer 1

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting of heavy nucleus into two light nuclei nearly of the same size when bombarded with slow neutrons.
In each fission reaction, a tremendous amount of energy (≈190 𝑀𝑒𝑉) is released.
Neutron is the particle used to cause nuclear fission. When a slow neutron strikes the ${}_{92}^{235}\text{U}$ nucleus, it gets absorbed in it. An unstable isotope ${}_{92}^{236}\text{U}$ is formed which splits into two nuclei
i. Barium (${}_{56}^{144}\text{Ba}$) and
ii. Krypton (${}_{36}^{89}\text{Kr}$) with the release of three neutrons and a tremendous amount of energy.
${}_{92}^{235}\text{U}{+}_0^1\text{n}{\to }_{92}^{236}\text{U}{\to }_{56}^{144}\text{Ba}{+}_{36}^{89}\text{Kr}+3_0^1\text{n}+energy$