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CS 4.5
State that fission may be spontaneous or induced by
neutron bombardment.
CS 4.6
CS 4.7
Explain, using E = mc2, how the products of fission and
fusion acquire large amounts of kinetic energy.
CS 4.8
Carry out calculations using E = mc2 for fission and
fusion reactions.
Fission
1. Spontaneous Fission
2. Induced Fission
Spontaneous Fission
1 235
0 n 92 U
The Fission Process
A neutron travels at high speed towards a uranium-235
nucleus.
1 235
0 n 92 U
The Fission Process
A neutron travels at high speed towards a uranium-235
nucleus.
1 235
0 n 92 U
The Fission Process
The neutron strikes the nucleus which then captures the
neutron.
1 235
0 n 92 U
The Fission Process
The nucleus changes from being uranium-235 to
uranium-236 as it has captured a neutron.
236
92 U
The Fission Process
The uranium-236 nucleus formed is very unstable.
1
0 n
141
56 Ba
1
0 n
92
36 Kr
1
0 n
The Fission Process
It then splits into 2 fission fragments and releases
neutrons.
1
0 n
141
56 Ba
1
0 n
92
36 Kr
1
0 n
The Fission Process
It then splits into 2 fission fragments and releases
neutrons.
1
0 n
141
56 Ba
1
0 n
92
36 Kr
1
0 n
The Fission Process
It then splits into 2 fission fragments and releases
neutrons. 1
0n
141
56 Ba
1
0 n
92
36 Kr
1
Nuclear Fission Examples
235 1 141 92 1
92
U + 0
n 56
Ba + 36
Kr + 3 0
n
235 1 138 96 1
92
U + 0
n 55
Cs + 37
Rb + 2 0
n
Energy from Fission
Both the fission fragments and neutrons travel at high
speed.
The kinetic energy of the products of fission are far
greater than that of the bombarding neutron and target
atom.
92
U + 0
n 55
Cs + 37
Rb + 2 0
n
Element Atomic Mass (kg)
235
92 U 3.9014 x 10-25
1
0 n 1.6750 x 10-27
Energy from Fission
Calculate the total mass before and after fission takes place.
mass difference, m = total mass before fission – total mass after fission
E = mc2 E
Where:
m c2
E = energy released (J)
m = mass difference (kg)
c = speed of light in a vacuum (3 x 108 ms-1)
Energy from Fission
Calculate the energy released from the following fission
reaction:
235 1 138 96 1
92 U + 0n 55Cs + 37Rb+ 20n
m = 2.65 x 10-28 kg E = mc2
c = 3 x 108 ms-1 E = 2.65 x 10-28 x (3 x 108)2
E=E E = 2.385 x 10-11 J
Energy from Fission
2 3 4 1
1
H + 1
H 2
He + 0
n + Energy
The Fusion Process
2
1H
3
1H
The Fusion Process
2
1H
3
1H
The Fusion Process
2
1H
3
1H
The Fusion Process
2
1H
3
1H
The Fusion Process
The Fusion Process
The Fusion Process
The Fusion Process
The Fusion Process
1
0 n
4
2 He
EN
ER
GY
The Fusion Process
1
0 n
4
2 He
EN
ER
GY
The Fusion Process
1
0 n
4
2 He
EN
ER
GY
The Fusion Process
1
0 n
4
2 He
EN
ER
GY
Energy from Fusion
2 3 4 1
1
H + 1
H 2
He + 0
n + Energy
Element Atomic Mass (kg)
2
1 H 3.345 x 10-27
1H 5.008 x 10-27
3
4
2 He 6.647 x 10-27
1
0 n 1.6750 x 10-27
Energy from Fusion
1
H + 1
H 2
He + 0
n + Energy
The total mass before fusion (LHS of the equation):
2 3 4 1
1
H + 1
H 2
He + 0
n + Energy
m = 3.1 x 10-29 kg E = mc2
c = 3 x 108 ms-1 E = 3.1 x 10-29 x (3 x 108)2
E=E E = 2.79 x 10-12 J