Fission and fusion Flashcards
1
Q
what are the two isotopes that natural uranium consists of?
A
uranium-235 and uranium-238
2
Q
when does fission occur?
A
when a large unstable nucleus is split up and energy is released as heat
3
Q
what are the stages of fission?
A
the heat is used to boil water to create steam
the steam drives a turbine
the turbine turns a generator which produces electricity
4
Q
give an example of a chain reaction that is not controlled?
A
a bomb
5
Q
what happens when uranium fissions?
A
a chain reaction starts
6
Q
in a power station what happens when atoms of uranium-235 are bombarded with neutrons?
A
causes the nucleus to split, releasing energy
