The isotope ${}_{5}^{12}B$ having a mass $12.014 \text{ u}$ undergoes $\beta$-decay to ${}_{6}^{12}C$. ${}_{6}^{12}C$ has an excited state of the nucleus $({}_{6}^{12}C^*)$ at $4.041 \text{ MeV}$ above its ground state. If ${}_{5}^{12}B$ decays to ${}_{6}^{12}C^*$, the maximum kinetic energy of the $\beta$-particle in units of $\text{MeV}$ is ($1 \text{ u} = 931.5 \text{ MeV}/c^2$, where $c$ is the speed of light in vacuum).

Mention the use of controlled nuclear fission. Mention the use of uncontrolled nuclear fission.

What is a moderator? Name the material used as a moderator in a nuclear reactor.

The $Q$ value of a nuclear reaction $A+b \rightarrow C+d$ is defined by $Q=\left[m_{A}+m_{b}-m_{C}-m_{d}\right] c^{2}$ where the masses refer to the respective nuclei. Determine from the given data the $Q$ value of the following reactions and state whether the reactions are exothermic or endothermic.
$(i) \;_{1}^{1} H+_{1}^{3} H \rightarrow_{1}^{2} H+_{1}^{2} H$
$(ii)\;_{6}^{12} C+_{6}^{12} C \rightarrow_{10}^{20} N e+_{2}^{4} H e$
Atomic masses are given to be:
$m(_{1}^{1}H) = 1.007825 \; u$
$m(_{1}^{2}H) = 2.014102 \; u$
$m(_{1}^{3}H) = 3.016049 \; u$
$m(_{6}^{12}C) = 12.000000 \; u$
$m(_{10}^{20}Ne) = 19.992439 \; u$
$m(_{2}^{4}He) = 4.002603 \; u$

Heavy water is used as a moderator in a nuclear reactor. The function of the moderator is

When a sample of solid lithium is placed in a flask of hydrogen gas,the following reaction occurs: $_1^1H + {_3^7Li} \to {_2^4He} + {_2^4He}$. This statement is: