In a typical nuclear fission reaction, Uranium-235 absorbs a slow neutron and shatters. One fragment — Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The reaction is ${}_{92}^{235}U + {}_{0}^{1}n \rightarrow {}_{54}^{139}Xe + {}_{38}^{94}Sr + x {}_{0}^{1}n$. Balancing mass numbers: $235 + 1 = 139 + 94 + x(1)$. Thus $236 = 233 + x$, yielding $x = 3$ neutrons.