Question

A heavy nucleus P of mass number 240 and binding energy 7.6 MeV per nucleon splits in to two nuclei Q and R of mass numbers 110, 130 and binding energy per nucleon 8.5 MeV and 8.4 MeV, respectively. Calculate the energy released in the fission

Answer 1

P → Q + R + Energy (Q)

Total binding energy of P = 240 × 7.6 = 1824 MeV

Total binding energy of (Q + R) = (110 × 8.5 + 130 × 8.4) MeV

= (935 + 1092) = 2027 MeV

Therefore, energy released during fission

Q = (2027 – 1824) MeV

= 203 MeV