The liquid-drop model of the nucleus suggests that high-energy oscillations of certain nuclei can split ("fission") a large nucleus into two unequal fragments plus a few neutrons. Using this model, consider the case of a uranium nucleus fissioning into two spherical fragments, one with a charge q1 = + 38e and radius r1 = 5.5 x 10^(- 15)m, the other with q2 = + 54e and r2 = 6.2 x10^(- 15) m.
Calculate the electric potential energy (MeV) of these fragments, assuming that the charge is uniformly distributed throughout the volume of each spherical nucleus and that their surfaces are initially in contact at rest. The electrons surrounding the nuclei can be neglected. This electric potential energy will then be entirely converted to kinetic energy as the fragments repel each other. [1 MeV = 10^6 eV.]