Question

During a nuclear fission reaction,

Options

• a heavy nucleus breaks into two fragments by itself a light nucleus bombarded by thermal neutrons breaks up

• a light nucleus bombarded by thermal neutrons breaks up

• a heavy nucleus bombarded by thermal neutrons breaks up

• two light nuclei combine to give a heavier nucleus and possible other products.

Answer 1

a heavy nucleus bombarded by thermal neutrons breaks up

In a nuclear reactor, a large fissile atomic nucleus like uranium-235 absorbs a thermal neutron and undergoes a nuclear fission reaction. The heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei releasing gamma radiation and free neutrons.