Question

When a nucleus of ^235 U undergoes fission, it breaks into two smaller, more tightly bound fragments.1) Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for ^235U? (Express with appropriate units)2) Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for the fission product ^137 Cs? (Express in appropriate units)

Answer 1

1) The binding energy per nucleon is 7.59 MeV/nucleon and 2) The binding energy per nucleon is  8.39 MeV/nucleon.

1) The binding energy per nucleon is as follows:

m_proton + m_neutron + m_electron - m_U

= 92*1.007276466812 + 92*5.4857990943e-4 + 143*1.008664916 - (235.0439299)

= 1.9151 u

= 931.494061 * 1.9151 MeV

= 1784 MeV

= 1784/235 = 7.59 MeV/nucleon

2) The binding energy per nucleon is as follows:

m_proton + m_neutron + m_electron - m_Cs

= 55*1.007276466812 + 55*5.4857990943e-4 + 82*1.008664916 - (136.9070895)

= 1.2338 u

= 931.494061 * 1.2338 MeV

= 1149 MeV

=1145/137 = 8.39 MeV/nucleon

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