Question

If 200 MeV energy is released in the fission of \(^{235}_{92}U\) a single nucleus of, how many fissions must occur to produce a power of 1 kW?

Answer 1

Let the number of fissions per second be n. 

Then, Energy released per second = n x 200 MeV

= n x 200 x 1.6 x 10^-13 J

Energy required per second = Power x Time 

= 1kW x 1 s = 1000 J 

Energy released = Energy required n x 200 x 1.6 x 10^-13 = 1000

n = 3.125 x 10^-13