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Introduction to Nuclear Energy > Lecture 2: Basic Nuclear Physics > Flashcards

Lecture 2: Basic Nuclear Physics Flashcards

1
Q

Name four coolant element examples:

A

H20, CO2, Na, Pb

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2
Q

Name two moderator element examples:

A

H20, C

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3
Q

Name three fuel element examples:

A

U, Pu, Th

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4
Q

Name five waste element examples

A

U, Pu, Np, Am, Cm

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5
Q

What is the atomic number?

A

Number of protons

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6
Q

What is the neutron number?

A

Number of neutrons

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7
Q

What is the atomic mass and how is it calculated?

A

Total mass (protons + neutrons)

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8
Q

What is the conversion from amu to kg?

A

1.66 x 10^-27

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9
Q

What is the mass (in amu) of a proton?

A

1.0073

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10
Q

What is the mass (in amu) of a neutron?

A

1.0087

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11
Q

What is the mass (in amu) of an electron?

A

0.0005

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12
Q

Define a mole:

A

Unit for measuring large quantities of very small entities

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13
Q

How many entities make one mol and what is it known as?

A

6.023 x 10^26 per kmol (Avogadro’s constant)

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14
Q

What electrical unit is used for nuclear applications?

A

Electron Volt

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15
Q

What is the definition and unit for Power?

A

Rate of doing work (J/s or W)

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16
Q

Define an isotope:

A

A form of the same element with an equal number of protons but different number of neutrons in their nuclei.

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17
Q

Why are isotopes useful as a nuclear fuel?

A

Unstable > Energetically favourable to change form > Radioactive decay

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18
Q

Define alpha decay:

A

Ejection of a helium nucleus known as a alpha particle

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19
Q

Define beta decay:

A

Neutron > Proton + Electron (emitted)

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20
Q

Define gamma decay:

A

Emission of a gamma (high energy photon)

21
Q

What can stop alpha, beta, and gamma emissions?

A

Paper
Metal sheet
Lead or thick concrete

22
Q

What is the rate of decay dependent on?

A

Number of present isotopes

23
Q

Define half-life:

A

Time taken for radioactivity of an isotope to halve.

24
Q

Why are short half-lives dangerous?

A

Heavy / fatal dose in a short time.

25
Q

What is the purpose of neutrons in a nucleus?

A

Attract nucleons due to very short range of nuclear forces, acting as a glue.

26
Q

True or false: More neutrons are needed to ‘glue’ protons together for higher atomic masses.

A

True

27
Q

Define a mass defect:

A

Difference between the mass of an atom and its constituent particles.

28
Q

What is the mass defect equal to?

A

Binding energy of a nucleus.

29
Q

How does the mass defect relate to fission and fusion?

A

Explains release of energy per nucleon (E=mc^2)

30
Q

What does the binding energy per nucleon inform about fission and fusion?

A

Nuclei inherently want to exist in highest energy state, therefore fission can occur spontaneously whereas fission must overcome repulsive forces.

31
Q

How is sufficient activation energy provided to initiate fission?

A

Neutron collision with nucleus causes unstability.

32
Q

How is heat generated by fission?

A

KE of fragments lead to collisions of with atomic lattice of the fuel

33
Q

Name two interaction mechanisms between neutrons and nuclei:

A

Elastic scattering and absorption

34
Q

Define Elastic Scattering:

A

Neutrons are deflected with some loss of KE. They bounce off nucleus without joining, therefore nucleus absorbs energy.

35
Q

Define Absorption:

A

Neutron absorbed by target nucleus, thus gaining KE and binding energy. Becomes unstable so followed by energy release mechanism.

36
Q

Name five energy release mechanisms and their short codes:

A

Emission of gamma radiation (n, gamma)
Emission of charged particle (n, p) or (n, alpha)
Emission of several neutrons (n, 2n)
Fission (n, f)
Inelastic scattering (n, n’gamma)

37
Q

Define inelastic scattering:

A

KE of incoming neutron is retained then excess energy release in the form of a gamma.

38
Q

What is neutron capture?

A

Any absorption that does not result in fission

39
Q

Define cross-section, sigma:

A

The probability of a neutron interacting with surrounding matter.

40
Q

Why are moderators so critical?

A

To reduce the incident neutron energy to match the nucleus discrete energy levels in order to increase the probability of capture and fission.

41
Q

What is neutron moderation?

A

Slowing down neutrons to lower energy to improve the probability of fission occurring.

42
Q

How is moderation achieved?

A

Scattering

43
Q

Are lighter or heavier nuclei better at performing moderation and why?

A

Lighter as they transfer momentum better from the neutron (KE transferred from neutron to nuclei)

44
Q

What is the energy of a thermal neutron?

A

0.023 eV

45
Q

What is a thermal neutron?

A

A neutron readily able to cause fission

46
Q

What is the energy of a fast neutron?

A

2 MeV

47
Q

What are the two fundamental forces between nuclear particles?

A

Strong nuclear force (attractive)
Electromagnetic force (repulsive)

48
Q

What are the relative ranges of the two nuclear forces?

A

Strong nuclear force (attractive):
Very short, within the nucleus.

Electromagnetic force (repulsive)
Infinite range, diminishes with distance.

Introduction to Nuclear Energy (16 decks)

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