A heavy nucleus N , at rest, undergoes fission N → P + Q , where P and Q are two lighter nuclei. Let…

A heavy nucleus N, at rest, undergoes fission NP+Q, where P and Q are two lighter nuclei. Let δ=MN-MP-MQ, where MP, MQ and MN are the masses of P,Q and N, respectively. EP and EQ are the kinetic energies of P and Q, respectively. The speeds of P and Q are vP and vQ, respectively. If c is the speed of light, which of the following statement(s) is (are) correct?
  1. EP+EQ=c2δ
  2. EP=MPMP+MQc2δ
  3. vPvQ=MQMP
  4. The magnitude of momentum for P as well as Q is c2μδ, where μ=MPMQMP+MQ

Solution

Since, Fext=0

So,

According to conservation of linear momentum,

ptotal initial=ptotal final=0

That's why momentum of both lighter nuclei will be equal and opposite to each other as we can see in above diagram.

Now here some energy released due to mass defect which can be written as,

Energy released =Δmc2=δc2

Where, Δm=δ=mass defect

and, δ=MN-MP-MQ

Now this energy released due to mass defect convert in kinetic energy of daughter nuclei so,

Energy released=Δmc2=c2δ=KEP+KEQ

Where,

KEP=p22MP, KEQ=p22MQKEp:KEQ=1 MP:1 MQ=MQ:MP

KEP=MQMp+MQδc2

KEQ=MpMP+MQδc2

KEP+KEQ=δc2

p22MP+p22MQ=δc2

p=c2MPMQMP+MQδ

Hence, options 1,3,4 are correct.

Asked in: JEE Advanced 2021 (Paper 2)

Practice more Nuclear Physics questions on Aicharya