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Question 1. (a) Calculate the energy released when a thermal neutron is captured by the nucleus of a 235 U atom that then fissions to produce 137Cs, 97Zr and two neutrons [Atomic masses: n=1.0087u, 235U-235.0439u, ¹7Cs-136.9070u, "Zr-96.9110u; u-931.48 MeV/e²] [5]

Answer :

The energy released when a thermal neutron is captured by the nucleus of a 235 U atom that then fissions to produce 137Cs, 97Zr and two neutrons is 194 MeV.

The mass of a thermal neutron is 1.0087 u, the mass of a 235 U atom is 235.0439 u, the mass of a 137Cs atom is 136.9070 u, and the mass of a 97Zr atom is 96.9110 u.

The mass of two neutrons is 2(1.0087 u) = 2.0174 u. The total mass of the reactants is 235.0439 u + 1.0087 u = 236.0526 u. The total mass of the products is 136.9070 u + 96.9110 u + 2(1.0087 u) = 236.8267 u.

The difference between the mass of the reactants and the mass of the products is 236.0526 u - 236.8267 u = -0.7741 u. This difference in mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's equation E = mc^2. The energy released is (-0.7741 u)(931.48 MeV/u)^2 = 194 MeV.

The energy released in the fission of a 235 U atom is a significant amount of energy. It is this energy that is used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.

To learn more about fission click here: brainly.com/question/82412

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