Fission & Fusion Flashcards
What is nuclear fusion?
When two small nuclei join together to produce a larger nucleus
What is nuclear fission?
When one large nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei
What needs to happen for Uranium to undergo Nuclear fission?
It must absorb a neutron
What does induced fission mean?
Nuclear fission in which the unstable nucleus first absorbs a neutron
What is spontaneous fission?
Nuclear fission without additional energy being put into the nucleus
What would be the products from the fission of Uranium 235?
-Barium
-Krypton
-2 or 3 Neutrons
What is needed for the fission of Uranium 235 to happen?
When Uranium 235 absorbs a neutron and forms Uranium 236
How would a chain reaction occur due to nuclear fission?
It occurs when neutrons emitted from the splitting of a nucleus causes further nuclei to split and the neutrons emitted from these will cause further fission reactions
What are the factors that need to get controlled in a nuclear reactor?
-The number of free neutrons in the reactor
-The energy of the free neutrons
What are the main components of a nuclear reactor?
-Control rods
-A moderator
What is the main purpose of control rods in a nuclear reactor?
To absorb neutrons
What is the main purpose of a moderator in a nuclear reactor?
To slow down neutrons
What is the main purpose of shielding in a nuclear reactor?
To absorb hazardous radiation
What is nuclear fusion?
The creation of larger nuclei resulting in a loss of mass from smaller nuclei, accompanied by a release of energy
Why might nuclear fusion be hard to achieve on earth?
Because extremely high temperatures is needed for the reaction to happen
What are advantages of nuclear fusion reactors?
-Generates more energy compared to fission
-Doesn’t produce long-living nuclear waste products
What are disadvantages of nuclear fusion reactors?
The conditions for nuclear fusion is much harder to achieve on earth
What are the conditions required for Nuclear Fusion?
-extremely high temperatures
-Extremely high pressure
Why are such high temperatures and pressures needed for nuclear fusion to occur?
-Protons have positive charges, so they repel eachother
-Very high kinetic energies are needed to allow them to get close enough to fuse
