Question

In any fission process the ratio $\frac{mass \, of \, fission \, products}{mass \, of \, parent \, nucleus} is$

• A. equal to 1
• B. greater than 1
• C. less than 1
• D. depends on the mass of the parent nucleus.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

 To solve this problem, we need to understand the concept of mass and energy in nuclear fission processes.

Nuclear fission is a reaction in which a larger nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of energy. According to the principle of mass-energy equivalence, as proposed by Albert Einstein with his famous equation \(E = mc^2\), energy and mass are interchangeable.

In nuclear fission:

• A parent nucleus (a heavy nucleus) absorbs a neutron and becomes unstable.
• This instability causes the nucleus to split into two or more smaller nuclei known as fission products.
• Along with these fission products, several free neutrons and a large amount of energy are released.

The key point here is the conservation of mass-energy. The combined mass of the fission products and the released free neutrons is less than the mass of the original parent nucleus. The "missing" mass has been converted into energy, as described by the mass-energy equivalence principle.

Therefore, the ratio of the mass of the fission products to the mass of the parent nucleus is less than 1, because some of the original mass has been converted into energy:

Option 1	Equal to 1	This would mean no mass has been converted to energy, which is incorrect in nuclear fission.
Option 2	Greater than 1	Implies creation of extra mass, not possible as mass-energy is conserved.
Option 3	Less than 1	Correct, due to conversion of mass to energy.
Option 4	Depends on the mass of the parent nucleus	Again, incorrect due to conservation principles being universally applicable.

Thus, the correct answer is less than 1, which is Option 3.