Binding Energy Model answers

Question 1

Why is fusion better than fission?

Answer 1

supply of fuel is almost unlimited (deuterium from sea water)
fewer waste or radioactivity or environmental problems
energy released per unit mass is usually greater

Question 2

Define binding energy of the nucleus

Answer 2

Energy released when the separate nucleons combine to form nucleus
OR energy needed to separate the nucleus into individual nucleons

Question 3

binding energy against nucleon number graph

Answer 3

Up steep straight line, peak at 8.7 MeV at nucleon number 50-60, falls straight line very shallow, doesn’t extend more than 1/3 of peak height

Question 4

Explain binding energy per nucleon graph

Answer 4

energy is released/made available when binding energy per nucleon is increased
in fission a large nucleus splits and in fusion small nuclei join
the most stable nuclei are at a peak
fusion occurs to left of peak and fission to right

Question 5

Safety features of nuclear reactor

Answer 5

Reactor core is in thick steel pressure vessel designed to withstand high temperatures and pressures in the core
and absorb beta radiation and some of gamma and neutral radiation from core
Reactor core housed in containment building- very thick concrete walls. Absorb neutrons and gamma radiation that escape from pressure vessel
Emergency shut-down system inserts control rods fully into core to stop chain reaction in event of emergency
Fuel rods are inserted and removed from core by remote handling devices due to high levels of radiation that are emitted

Question 6

How does binding energy arise?

Answer 6

Potential energy of nucleons decreases when they come together
Work done on nucleons by strong force
Binding energy is energy associated with strong force

Question 7

What is mass difference?

Answer 7

Difference between total mass of nucleons and mass of nucleus