Question

Calculate the energy released by 1g of natural uranium assuming 200 MeV is released in each fission event and that the fissionable isotope 235U has an abundance of 0.7% by weight in natural uranium.

Answer 1

The release of total energy =  $=5.74 \times 108 \mathrm{J}$

Explanation:

• It is understood that $6.02 \times 1023$ atoms are present in 235 g of uranium.

• 1g of uranium = $1235 \times 1023 \times 6.023 \text { atoms }$

• Therefore, 0.7 g of uranium contains = $1235 \times 0.007 \times 6.023 \times 1023$ atoms

• 200 MeV is given by 1 atom.

• Therefore, the release of total energy $=6.023 \times 0.007 \times 1023 \times 200 \times 1.6 \times 106 \times 10.19235 J=5.74 \times 108 \mathrm{J}$