Question

How is the fission of a uranium-235 nucleus induced?

Answer 1

The absorption of a "slow" neutron induces the fission of a uranium-235 nucleus.

The uranium-235 absorbs the neutron and forms an unstable compound nucleus, uranium-236.

`""_92^235"U" + _0^1"n" → _92^236"U"`

This nucleus then splits into two smaller nuclei. For example,

`""_92^236"U" → _56^141"Ba" + _36^92"Kr" +3_0^1"n"`