Nuclear Energy Flashcards
What did Einstein suggest
That energy and mass are equivalent.
Binding energy
The energy needed to completely separate the nucleons in a nucleus
What happens to the masses of neutrons once they have been separated from a nucleus
Increases
How do you compare the stability of different nuclei
Compare the binding energy per nucleon, which is binding energy over the number of nucleons
If the binding energy is higher the nucleus is
More stable
Fusion
Joining small nuclei to produce large nuclei and releasing energy
Fission
Splitting large nuclei to produce smaller “daughter” nuclei releasing energy
where does fusion occur
Stars
What does fusion need to occur in and around the nuclei
Very high KE to overcome repulsion
High pressure so that they are more likely to collide
What collides with a large nuclei to produce smaller nuclei
a slow moving neutron
How do nuclear reactors slow down reactions
put control rods between the radiation source to absorb the neutrons released in the reaction
What is a chain reaction
It is where the neutrons released from a fission trigger another fission reaction
What is the equation for binding energy
Mass loss x (speed of light)^2
