Nucleus ²⁴⁰U, which has a binding energy per nucleon as 7·6 MeV, disintegrates into two nuclei of ¹¹⁹⋅⁵Sn. Take ¹¹⁹⋅⁵Sn elements atomic mass number as 120 and binding energy per nucleon as 8·4 MeV. Which one among the following is the correct value of the energy released in the disintegration process ?
192 MeV
190 MeV
188 MeV
3840 MeV
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Answer is Wrong!
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
– The nucleus disintegrates into two nuclei of ¹¹⁹⋅⁵Sn. We are given to use the atomic mass number as 120 for calculation. So, the two product nuclei have A=120 and binding energy per nucleon = 8.4 MeV.
– Total binding energy of the two product nuclei = 2 * (120 * 8.4 MeV).
– The energy released in a nuclear reaction is the difference between the total binding energy of the products and the total binding energy of the reactants. Energy released = (Total binding energy of products) – (Total binding energy of reactants).
– Energy released = (2 * 120 * 8.4 MeV) – (240 * 7.6 MeV)
– Energy released = (240 * 8.4 MeV) – (240 * 7.6 MeV)
– Energy released = 240 * (8.4 – 7.6) MeV
– Energy released = 240 * 0.8 MeV
– Energy released = 192 MeV.