6) Radioactivity Flashcards
Nuclear fission:
How do you split an atom’s nucleus in nuclear fission?
By firing a neutron at it
Nuclear fission:
What happens to the uranium atom after the neutron is fired?
It splits in half and fires more neutrons at other uranium atoms thus splitting them
Nuclear fission:
If a neutron is fired at a uranium-235 nucleus what does this turn into?
Uranium-236 (which is unstable)
Nuclear fission:
What happens to an unstable uranium-256?
It splits into 2 fragments called ‘daughter nuclei’
Nuclear fission:
What is the main reaction called in fission?
Chain reaction
Nuclear fission:
Do neutrons need to be fast or slow moving when hitting other uranium-235 atoms?
Slow
Nuclear fission:
How are neutrons slowed down in fission?
Other components take the energy and change it into useable energy
Nuclear fission:
How is energy actually made after the chain reaction in fission?
the energy created is used to heat up water and move turbines
Nuclear fission:
What is nuclear fuel and where is it held during fission?
The uranium or plutonium atom isotope that is being split
Held in rods
Nuclear fission:
What is the moderator and what does it do?
A piece of equipment that slows down the releasing neutrons for the chain reaction
Nuclear fission:
What is a control rod and what does it do?
It holds the neutrons being released in place so they can be contained and limited easier
Nuclear fission:
What does the coolant do?
It is heated up by energy released during the chain reaction to create steam
Nuclear fission:
What are 3 advantages of nuclear power through fission?
Produces no polluting gas
Doesn’t contribute to global warming
Very low fuel costs
Nuclear fission:
What are 3 disadvantages of nuclear power through fission?
Hard to dispose of waste
Thermal pollution
Accidents can be catastrophic
Nuclear fusion:
Where do most fusion reactions take place?
Stars
Nuclear fusion:
What is nuclear fusion?
When 2 light nuclei join together to create one heavier nucleus
Nuclear fusion:
If a hydrogen-1 nucleus and a hydrogen-2 nucleus fuse together what does it create?
A helium-3 nucleus
Nuclear fusion:
What do nuclei need to fuse together?
High temperatures
Nuclear fission:
What are the 2 main types of nucleus used in fission?
Uranium-235
Plutonium-239
Nuclear fission:
What are control rods made from?
Silver
Indium
Cadmium
Nuclear fusion:
What charge are both nuclei in fusion and what does this mean?
Positive
Means they repell each other
Nuclear fusion:
What speed do nuclei have to be moving to collide due to repelling?
Fast
Nuclear fusion:
What liquid does fusion need to work?
Water
Nuclear fusion:
What is the main waste product of fusion?
Helium
Nuclear fusion:
What is one downside to fusion?
It needs more energy than is created
Atoms:
What are the 3 parts to an atom?
Electron
Neutron
Proton
Atoms:
Where is the nucleus found in an atom?
The centre
Atoms:
What are the relative charges of protons, neutrons and electrons?
Proton=+1
Neutron=0
Electron=-1
Atoms:
What are the relative masses of proton, neutron and electron?
Proton=1
Neutron=1
Electron=Negligible
Atoms:
What is the approximate radius of an atom?
1x10^-10
Atoms:
What is the number of protons and neutrons called on an element symbol?
Mass number
Atoms:
What is the number of protons called on a element symbol?
Atomic number? (also number of electrons)
Atoms:
What happens to an atoms when it is ionised?
It gains neutrons
Atoms:
Is the atomic number the bottom or top number on a element symbol?
Bottom
Atoms:
How do you find the number of neutrons in an atom?
Mass number - atomic number
