Question

n the spontaneous fission of uranium-233, the following reaction occurs: 233U + 1n → 142Ce + 82Se + 101n For every mole of 233U that decays, 0.1355 g of mass is lost. How much energy is given off per mole of 233U reacted?

Answer 1

Ans. The conversion of mass into energy is given by-

            E = mc²          - equation 1

                        Where, E = energy in joule ; m = mass in kg ; c = speed of light

Given,

            Decay in mass per mol ²³³U = 0.1355 g = 1.355 x 10^-4 kg

            That is,

Putting the values in equation 1-

Or, E = (1.355 x 10^-4 kg) x (299792458 m s^-1)²

            Or, E = 1.2178 x 10¹³ kg m² s^-2                               ; [1 kg m² s^-2 = 1 J]

            Or, E = 1.2178 x 10¹³ J                                            

Hence, amount of energy released per mol ²³³U = 1.2178 x 10¹³ J