The equation you've provided represents a fission reaction involving Uranium-235 (\(^{235}{92}U\)) and a neutron (\(^{1}{0}n\)). This type of reaction occurs when a heavy nucleus absorbs a neutron and becomes unstable, leading to its splitting into lighter nuclei, along with the release of additional neutrons and a significant amount of energy.
Here's the breakdown of the reaction:
- The target nucleus is Uranium-235.
- When it absorbs a neutron, it becomes unstable and undergoes fission.
- The products of this reaction include:
- Barium-138 (\(^{138}_{56}Ba\))
- Krypton-95 (\(^{95}_{36}Kr\))
- Several free neutrons (in this case, 3)
- The reaction also releases a large amount of energy, which is harnessed in nuclear reactors and weapons.
In summary, the general form of the fission reaction can be represented as:
\[ ^{235}{92}U + ^{1}{0}n \rightarrow ^{138}{56}Ba + ^{95}{36}Kr + 3 ^{1}_{0}n + \text{energy} \]
This equation demonstrates the basic mechanism of nuclear fission, which is a key process in both energy production and nuclear weaponry.
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