Nuclear Fission Mass Calculation
A nuclear power plant produces $$1 \text{ GW}$$ of thermal power for $$1$$ hour. Given that $$1 \text{ GW} = 10^9 \text{ W}$$ and $$1 \text{ hour} = 3600 \text{ s}$$, the total energy produced is $$3.6*10^{12} \text{ J}$$. If each fission of a U-235 nucleus releases approximately $$200 \text{ MeV}$$ of energy (with $$1 \text{ eV} = 1.602*10^{-19} \text{ J}$$), estimate the mass (in grams) of U-235 required to produce this energy. Assume that one mole of U-235 weighs approximately $$235 \text{ g}$$ and contains $$6.022*10^{23}$$ nuclei.
Conversion Table:
| Quantity | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 GW | $$10^9 \text{ W}$$ |
| 1 hour | $$3600 \text{ s}$$ |
| 1 eV | $$1.602*10^{-19} \text{ J}$$ |
| 1 mole | $$6.022*10^{23} \text{ nuclei}$$ |
| Molar mass of U-235 | $$235 \text{ g/mol}$$ |
| Energy per fission | $$200 \text{ MeV}$$ (1 MeV = $$10^6 \text{ eV}$$) |
A
$$0.44 \text{ g}$$
B
$$44 \text{ g}$$
C
$$4.4 \text{ g}$$
D
$$440 \text{ g}$$
Question Leaderboard
Not enough data yet to show leaderboard.
APFIVE