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2 marksAtomic Mass

CAPE Physics Unit 2 · 2005 · Paper 2 · Question 9(b)(iii)

The fission of Uranium-235 is represented by: 235_92 U -> 140_54 Ce + 94_38 Zr + 1_0 n. Masses: U-235 = 235.0439 u, Ce-140 = 139.9054 u, Zr-94 = 93.9063 u, n = 1.00867 u. (1 u = 931.5 MeV).

Using your answer to (ii) above, explain why nuclear fission is such a desirable source of energy.

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Other parts of this question

  1. 9(a)(i)Explain what is meant by 'nuclear fusion' and 'nuclear fission' and state which process is responsible for the energy release of the Sun.[3 marks]
  2. 9(a)(ii)Explain why a neutron would penetrate farther into a sample of matter than an alpha particle of the same energy.[2 marks]
  3. 9(a)(iii)What does the binding energy per nucleon versus mass number curve indicate about the stability of nuclei and the processes by which nuclei achieve this…[3 marks]
  4. 9(b)(i)How many atoms are contained in 1.0 kg of Uranium-235?[3 marks]
  5. 9(b)(ii)Using the masses given, calculate the energy, in joules, released by 1.0 kg of Uranium-235 by fission.[7 marks]

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