Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 34 - Think and Rank - Page 654: 35

Answer

Reduction in mass per nucleon after fission, greatest to least: Uranium, Silver, Gold, Iron.

Work Step by Step

Look at Figure 34.16. Uranium is far to the right, and has a lot of mass per nucleon. After a fission process, each of the pieces will have less mass per nucleon (they pieces are still heavier than iron). Iron already has the least mass per nucleon, so if it is forced to undergo fission by nuetron bombardment, it will have no reduction in mass per nucleon. There is not enough information in the text or in Figure 34.16 to choose between silver and gold. This is discussed on pages 647-648.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.