Calculate the quantity of energy produced per mole of U-235 (atomic mass = 235.043922 amu) for the neutron-induced fission of U-235 to produce Te-137 (atomic mass = 136.9253 amu) and Zr-97 (atomic mass = 96.910950 amu) (discussed in Problem 58).

Key Concepts

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is a process in which a heavy nucleus, such as uranium-235, splits into two smaller nuclei, along with the release of energy and neutrons. This reaction can be initiated by the absorption of a neutron, leading to a chain reaction that can produce significant amounts of energy, which is the principle behind nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.

Mass-Energy Equivalence

Mass-energy equivalence, expressed by Einstein's equation E=mc², states that mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. In nuclear reactions, the mass of the products is often less than the mass of the reactants, and this 'missing' mass is converted into energy, which can be calculated to determine the energy released during fission.

Binding Energy

Binding energy is the energy required to disassemble a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons. It is a measure of the stability of a nucleus; higher binding energy indicates a more stable nucleus. In fission, the binding energy of the products is greater than that of the reactants, resulting in the release of energy during the reaction.