Among the following nuclear reactions of thermal neutrons, the cross section is highest for: · ABC26IN0219
Subject: Inorganic Chemistry · Chapter: Nuclear Chemistry · Topic: Nuclear Reactions Q Value · Exam: CSIR NET 2017 · Marks: 2 · Difficulty: Medium
Among the following nuclear reactions of thermal neutrons, the cross section is highest for:
(a)${}_{92}\mathrm{U}^{235}+{}_{0}\mathrm{n}^{1}\rightarrow{}_{92}\mathrm{U}^{235}+{}_{0}\mathrm{n}^{1}$
(b)${}_{92}\mathrm{U}^{235}+{}_{0}\mathrm{n}^{1}\rightarrow{}_{92}\mathrm{U}^{236}$
(c)${}_{92}\mathrm{U}^{235}+{}_{0}\mathrm{n}^{1}\rightarrow{}_{90}\mathrm{Th}^{232}+{}_{2}\mathrm{He}^{4}$
(d)${}_{92}\mathrm{U}^{235}+{}_{0}\mathrm{n}^{1}\rightarrow{}_{36}\mathrm{K}^{94}+{}_{56}\mathrm{Ba}^{140}+2\,{}_{0}\mathrm{n}^{1}$
Answer
Answer: D ✓ checked by 4AB · confidence high
The source book printed no answer; this one was worked out and checked — see the explanation.
Explanation
For thermal neutrons the ²³⁵U fission cross-section (≈585 b) far exceeds radiative capture to ²³⁶U (≈100 b), elastic scattering (≈15 b) or (n,α).
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