When a neutron collides with a plutonium-239 nucleus, nuclear fission can occur.
The equation represents this fission process:
94239Pu+01n→54134Xe+40103Zr+neutrons ^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{134}_{54}\text{Xe} + ^{103}_{40}\text{Zr} + \text{neutrons} 94239Pu+01n→54134Xe+40103Zr+neutronsWhat is meant by the term fission?
Calculate the number of neutrons released during this fission reaction.
Explain how a chain reaction can occur in plutonium-239.
With reference to the equation, explain what is meant by a daughter nucleus.
Zirconium-103 is a radioactive isotope that emits beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) particles. Explain what happens to the mass (nucleon) number of zirconium-103 when it emits a beta particle.
