Explain the phenomenon of nuclear fission.

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Nuclear fission is a process in which a heavy nucleus $(A > 230)$ is bombarded with neutrons,causing it to split into two smaller nuclei of comparable mass,accompanied by the release of neutrons and a large amount of energy.
Neutrons are electrically neutral,meaning they do not experience Coulomb repulsion when approaching the positively charged nucleus. This makes them ideal projectiles for inducing fission.
When a slow neutron strikes a $^{235}_{92}U$ nucleus,it forms an unstable $^{236}_{92}U$ nucleus,which then undergoes fission. $A$ typical reaction is:
${ }_{92}^{235} U + { }_{0}^{1} n \rightarrow { }_{92}^{236} U \rightarrow { }_{56}^{144} Ba + { }_{36}^{89} Kr + 3({ }_{0}^{1} n) + Q$
Other possible fission products include:
${ }_{92}^{235} U + { }_{0}^{1} n \rightarrow { }_{92}^{236} U \rightarrow { }_{51}^{133} Sb + { }_{41}^{99} Nb + 4({ }_{0}^{1} n) + Q$
${ }_{92}^{235} U + { }_{0}^{1} n \rightarrow { }_{92}^{236} U \rightarrow { }_{54}^{140} Xe + { }_{38}^{94} Sr + 2({ }_{0}^{1} n) + Q$
The fission fragments are typically radioactive and reach stability through successive $\beta$-particle emissions.
The neutrons produced in these reactions are fast,with energies around $2 \text{ MeV}$.
$Q$ represents the energy released,which is approximately $200 \text{ MeV}$ per fission event. This energy is primarily released as the kinetic energy of the fission fragments and $\gamma$-rays.

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Similar Questions

The average number of prompt neutrons produced per fission of ${U^{235}}$ is

Match the $\text{LIST-I}$ with $\text{LIST-II}$:
$A. \text{ } _0^1 n + { }_{92}^{235} U \rightarrow { }_{54}^{140} Xe + { }_{38}^{94} Sr + 2_0^1 n$$I. \text{ Chemical reaction}$
$B. \text{ } 2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O$$II. \text{ Fusion with } +ve \ Q \text{ value}$
$C. \text{ } _1^2 H + _1^2 H \rightarrow _2^3 He + _0^1 n$$III. \text{ Fission}$
$D. \text{ } _1^1 H + _1^3 H \rightarrow _1^2 H + _1^2 H$$IV. \text{ Fusion with } -ve \ Q \text{ value}$

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

$A$ nuclear reactor provides a power of $300 \, MW$. If the fission of one uranium nucleus ${U^{235}}$ releases $170 \, MeV$ of energy,how many nuclei undergo fission in $1 \, h$?

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Nuclear fusion is common to the pair:

How much energy is produced from the combustion of $1\, kg$ of coal?

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