When slow neutrons are incident on a target containing 23592U, a possi

When slow neutrons are incident on a target containing 23592U, a possible (fission) reaction is:23592U + n → 456 Ba + 9236 Kr + 3n.Estimate the amount of energy released using the following data:M (35U = 235.04 u, M(141 Ba) = 140.91 u,M (92 Kr) = 91.926 u, M(n) = 1.00874. The energy released in a fusion reaction is much less than the energy released in a fission reaction of the heavy nucleus. Why then is hydrogen bomb (based on nuclear fusion) far more powerful than the atom bomb based on nuclear fission)?

Answer»

Here total initial mass (²³⁵₉₂U + ¹₀n)

= 235.04 + 1.0087 = 236.0487 u

Total final mass (¹⁴⁵₅₆Ba + ⁹⁶₃₆Kr + 3¹₀n) = 235.8621 u

Change in mass = 236.0487 - 235.8621 = 0.1866 u

Energy released = 0.1866 x 931 = 173.72 MeV