2.9 NUCLEAR DECAY AND NUCLEAR ENERGY

Question 1

WHAT IS NUCLEAR FISSION?

Answer 1

The splitting of a large nucleus into smaller nuclei. This releases energy

Question 2

WHAT INDUCES FISSION IN THE NUCLEI OF AN ATOM?

Answer 2

The absorption of slow neutrons, making an unstable atom.

Question 3

HOW DO YOU BALANCE A NUCLEAR EQUATION?

Answer 3

Sum of neutrons on one side = sum of neutrons of the other side
and
Sum of protons on one side = sum of protons of the other side

Question 4

WHAT IS A CHAIN REACTION IN FISSION?

Answer 4

When fission reactions occur, the neutrons released can cause further fission

Question 5

WHAT DOES UNCONTROLLED FISSION MAKE?

Answer 5

An explosion

Question 6

WHERE CAN CONTROLLED FISSION BE USED?

Answer 6

In a nuclear reactor

Question 7

HOW DO NUCLEAR FISSION REACTORS WORK?

Answer 7

The heat released from a controlled chain reaction is used to heat water. The steam produced rotates a turbine that turns a generator and produces electricity

Question 8

WHAT IS NUCLEAR FUSION?

Answer 8

When two small nuclei are fused together to create one larger nucleus

Question 9

WHAT DOES NUCLEAR FUSION REQUIRE?

Answer 9

• A lot of energy as the repulsion between the two positive nuclei must be overcome
• A very high temperatures and pressures, and this makes it very difficult to achieve and contain on Earth

Question 10

WHERE DOES NUCLEAR FUSION OCCUR NATURALLY?

Answer 10

Stars