On neutron-capture induced fission, 235 92U typically splitsinto two new “fission product†92 nuclei with masses in the ratio1:1.4. These are born with the same proton to neutron ratio as theoriginal uranium, so they have too many neutrons to be stable attheir mass number and are highly radioactive. Energy is released intwo stages: first an intermediate or prompt release leading toradioactive fission products in their ground state; and then a muchslower release via the beta and gamma decays of the fission productnuclei, which continue until they become stable. Use thesemi-empirical mass equation to estimate the magnitudes of theenergy released per fission in each of the two stages. You may takethe final Z/A ratios from appropriate known stable nuclei.Furthermore, as this is an estimate, you may ignore the incomingand outgoing neutrons, and drop the pairing term from the SEMFformula.
Please note that the problem as stated here is a simplification:In reality, the 235 92 U nucleus splits into a variety of daughterpairs, most commonly with approximately the above mass ratio, andin some rare instances even into three daughters.
