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4.3: Fission

  • Page ID
    15019
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    Once we have started to look at the liquid drop model, we can try to ask the question what it predicts for fission, where one can use the liquid drop model to good effect. We are studying how a nuclear fluid drop separates into two smaller ones, either about the same size, or very different in size. This process is indicated in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\).

    imageedit_9_4362991519.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): symmetric (upper row) or asymmetric fission (lower row)

    The liquid drop elongates, by performing either a quadrupole or octupole type vibration, but it persists until the nucleus falls apart into two pieces. Since the equilibrium shape must be stable against small fluctuations, we find that the energy must go up near the spherical form, as sketched in Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\).

    fission2.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): potential energy for fission

    In that figure we sketch the energy - which is really the potential energy - for separation into two fragments, \(R\) is the fragment distance. As with any of such processes we can either consider classical fission decays for energy above the fission barrier, or quantum mechanical tunnelling for energies below the barrier. The method used in fission bombs is to use the former, by hitting a \(^{235}\)U nucleus with a slow neutron a state with energy above the barrier is formed, which fissions fast. The fission products are unstable, and emit additional neutrons, which can give rise to a chain reaction.

    The process of fission is shown in stages. A neutron strikes the circular nucleus of 235 U. The nucleus becomes oval shaped, labeled 236 U, unstable. Next, it develops the beginnings of a fissure in the middle. It then splits into two nuclei, each labeled fission fragment. This last stage also releases energy and neutrons.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): In the liquid drop model of nuclear fission, the uranium nucleus is split into two lighter nuclei by a high-energy neutron. (CC BY 4.0; OpenStax).

    The mass formula can be used to give an indication what is going on; Let us look at at the symmetric fusion of a nucleus. In that case the \(Q\) value is

    \[Q = M(A,Z)-2M(A/2,Z/2)\]

    The mass formula fails in predicting the asymmetry of fission, the splitting process is much more likely to go into two unequal fragments

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Evaluate the \(Q\) value for the fission \(\ce{^{236}U}\) with 92 protons.


    This page titled 4.3: Fission is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Niels Walet via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.