Approximately how much energy is released per fission of U-235?

Approximately how much energy is released per fission of U-235?

• A. 2 MeV
• B. 1000 MeV
• C. 50 keV
• D. 200 MeV

Answer: (D)

Energy released in fission is on the order of a few hundred MeV. For U-235, the average energy per fission is about 200 MeV. Most of this comes from the kinetic energy of the two fission fragments, with a few MeV from prompt gamma rays and prompt neutrons; additional energy from delayed decays of the fission fragments adds to the total over time. This is why the typical value cited for fission energy is around 200 MeV (roughly 3×10^-11 joules) per fission.

Energy released in fission is on the order of a few hundred MeV. For U-235, the average energy per fission is about 200 MeV. Most of this comes from the kinetic energy of the two fission fragments, with a few MeV from prompt gamma rays and prompt neutrons; additional energy from delayed decays of the fission fragments adds to the total over time. This is why the typical value cited for fission energy is around 200 MeV (roughly 3×10^-11 joules) per fission.