Nuclear fission is a type of nuclear reaction. It is the process by which the nucleus of an atom splits apart and releases a large amount of energy.

This nuclear fission is triggered by a neutral neutron being fired into the nuclei of the uranium-235 atom. However, for some elements, the process can also be spontaneous.

Here uranium-235 is called the parent nuclide and barium-144 and krypton-89 are referred to as daughter nuclides.

The nuclear equation for this would be:

This process is used in nuclear power plants. If one or more of the emitted neutrons is able to collide with another uranium-235 atom then this process will continue by itself. This is called a chain reaction.

Nuclear power plants typically use a heavy (unstable) element such as uranium or plutonium as the fuel.

Many of the daughter nuclei are radioactive themselves and will need to be stored for many thousands of years until they are safe.

Example

A uranium-238 nuclei spontaneously undergoes fission to create daughter nuclides of strontium-95 (atomic number 38) and an isotope of xenon (atomic number 54) as well as three neutrons.  (a)       Name the isotope of xenon that is formed in this nuclear fission process. 238 – 95 – 3 = 140 Isotope formed is xenon-140 Show Answer   (b)       Complete the nuclear reaction equation for this nuclear fission process by filling in the nucleon and proton numbers. Show Answer

 

<< Back

Radioactivity

Next >>

Links
YouTube Video: Nuclear Fission