4.8 Fission And Fusion

Question 1

Nuclear Fission

Answer 1

The splitting of a heavy / large nucleus into lighter nuclei with the release of energy

Question 2

Nuclear Fusion

Answer 2

The joining of two light nuclei to form one heavier more stable nucleus which releases energy

Question 3

Conditions required for fusion

Answer 3

-Nuclei must be confined within a finite volume
-at a sufficient temp to increase the chances of collision
- with sufficient energy to overcome the electrostatic repulsion

Question 4

Why is fusion difficult to achieve on earth ?

Answer 4

1. Difficulty in confining the plasma.
2. Difficulty in achieving high temperatures.
3. Difficulty in achieving these temperatures for sufficient time.

Question 5

Advantages of fusion

Answer 5

1. Clean energy, No greenhouse gasses emitted.
2. Abundance of fuel source from water.
3. Huge energy density.
4. No radioactive waste produced.
5. No chance of uncontrolled chain reaction

Question 6

Disadvantages of fusion

Answer 6

1. Extremely technology challenging.
2. Getting temperature high enough is difficult.
3. Keeping temp high for enough time is difficult.
4. Confinement is challenging.
5. Costs are huge to set up plants.
6. Fall into hands of terrorists ??

Question 7

2 conditions for plasma confinement ?

Answer 7

1. Increase particle density
2. Increased time of reaction