Question

A heavy nucleus P of mass number 240 and binding energy of 7.6 MeV per nucleon splits into two nuclei Q and R of mass number 110 and 130 and binding energy per nucleon of 8.5 MeV and 8.4 MeV respectively. Calculate the energy released in fission.

Answer 1

Total Binding Energy (BE) of P = 240 × 7.6 

= 1824 MeV

Binding Energy (BE) of Q = 110 × 8.5

= 935 MeV

Binding Energy (BE) of R = 130 × 8.4

= 1092 MeV

Total Binding Energy (BE) of Q and R = (935 + 1092)

= 2027 MeV

Total energy released in the fission = 2027 − 1824

= 203 MeV