Q Value for spontaneous fission and neutron induced fission

[bmarson123]

Homework Statement

What is the Q value in units of MeV in each of the following processes?

i) The spontaneous fission of ²³²U⁹² to ¹⁴⁵La⁵⁷ and ⁸⁷Br³⁵

ii) The neutron induced fission of ²³²U⁹² to ¹⁴⁶La⁵⁷ and ⁸⁷Br³⁵

Explain why heavy nuclei such as ²³²U⁹² do not usually undergo fission.

[Masses given in atomic mass units are ²³²U⁹² 232.0372; ¹⁴⁵La⁵⁷ 144.9217; ¹⁴⁶La⁵⁷ 145.9255; ⁸⁷Br³⁵ 86.9203; n 1.0087]

Attempt

There are loads of equations for different Q values depending on the type of decay it undergoes. I'm not sure which to use.

Also, I think I need to convert the atomic mass units into something else but I'm not entirely sure what?

I basically don't know where to start with it!

 

[kuruman]

There are loads of equations for different Q values depending on the type of decay it undergoes. I'm not sure which to use.

Use what is given to you. You call these decays, but are they really that? What is a better name for the process in which a uranium nuclide becomes a lanthanum and a bromine nuclide?

Also, I think I need to convert the atomic mass units into something else but I'm not entirely sure what?

Why convert? Use what is given to you.

I basically don't know where to start with it!

Start by writing an equation for a given process, then make sure it conserves energy.