Nuclear Energy (Unit 3)

Question 1

What is the m in E = mc^2 for?

Answer 1

-change in mass

Question 2

How to calculate nucleon binding energy?

Answer 2

-mass defect x 931 to give MeV
-then divide by number of nucleons the question asking for (isolated element or the whole nucleus)

Question 3

Unified atomic mass U meaning?

Answer 3

-exactly one twelfth of the mass of one atom of carbon 12

Question 4

How does binding energy per nucleon for FUSION work?

Answer 4

-Fusion is a nuclear reaction where smaller nucleon COMBINE to make larger nucleon
-This process RELEASES ENERGY when low mass nuclei fuse
- when the lighter nuclei fuse, they form a nucleus with a higher binding energy per nucleon
- the mass of the helium nucleus will be slightly less than the total mass hydrogen nuclei
-this loss in mass is released as energy.

Question 5

How does binding energy per nucleon for FISSION work?

Answer 5

-In a fission reaction, a heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei.
-RELEASES ENERGY as the binding energy per nucleon for the products will be higher than that of the heavy nucleus
-the mass of the starting nucleus will be slightly more than the total mass of the products; this loss in mass is released as energy.

Question 6

Where in nucleon number curve is fission and fusion?

Answer 6

• Fission - right to middle
• Fusion - left to middle

Question 7

Binding energy of a nucleus?

Answer 7

-The energy that has to be supplied in order to dissociate anucleus into its constituent nucleons
Unit J or MeV