Chapter 19, Problem 5STP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Process for splitting of heavy nuclide into lighter nucleus must be identified.

Concept introduction: In a nuclear reaction, unstable nuclide disintegrates into stable nuclide with emission of various radiations spontaneously. It is called radioactivity of nucleus. Emission of rays like alpha, beta and gamma rays occur in the process which changes the identity of nucleus.

During a nuclear change, an element undergoes change in its atomic mass or atomic number or both by emission of charged particles such as beta particle, alpha particle. Beta particle is one that has unit negative charge and alpha particle is one that has 2 unit positive charges and is equivalent to helium atom ${}_2^4\text{He}$ . Emission of proton, beta particle, alpha particle causes a change in atomic number of element.

Answer to Problem 5STP

Process for splitting of heavy nuclide into lighter nucleus that is of small mass number is called fission.

Explanation of Solution

Fission is process in which heavy nuclides disintegrate into lighter and stable ones. When 2 lighter nucleus come together to create a heavy nuclide, it is called as fusion.

Critical mass is the mass required by a nuclide to undergo fission and reach critical state.

Electron capture is one of the methods employed to gain stability by unstable nuclides. Electron from innate shells is taken by nucleus to generate neutrino and neutron.

Conclusion

Process for splitting of heavy nuclide into lighter nucleus that is of small mass number is called fission.