Question

Using the Weiszacker’s formula, calculate the binding energy per nucleon for 235

92 U and

its two fission products: 149

60 Nd and 86

32Ge.

Answer 1

Write down the Weiszacker’s formula:

$$B_E=a_vA−a_sA^{2/3}−a_c\frac{Z(Z−1)}{A^{1/3}}−a_a\frac{(A-2Z)^2}A+a_p\frac1{A^{1/2}},$$

$a_v=15.8\text{ MeV}\\ a_s=18.3\text{ MeV}\\ a_c=0.71\text{ MeV}\\ a_a=23.2\text{ MeV}\\ a_p=\pm11.2\text{ MeV}\\$

Uranium-235: 1796 MeV.

¹⁴⁹Nd: 132 MeV.

⁸⁶Ge: 56 MeV.