When a neutron collides with a plutonium-241 nucleus, nuclear fission can occur.
The equation represents this fission process:
94241Pu+01n→52137Te+42100Mo+neutrons ^{241}_{94}\text{Pu} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{137}_{52}\text{Te} + ^{100}_{42}\text{Mo} + \text{neutrons} 94241Pu+01n→52137Te+42100Mo+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-241.
With reference to the equation, explain what is meant by a daughter nucleus.
Tellurium-137 is a radioactive isotope that emits beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) particles. Explain what happens to the mass (nucleon) number of tellurium-137 when it emits a beta-minus particle.
