Nuclear Fission

Question 1

What are nuclear reactions

Answer 1

Reactions involving a change in the nucleus (releasing particles or energy)

Question 2

What are subatomic particles

Answer 2

protons, neutrons, electrons

Question 3

How can you induce a nuclear reaction

Answer 3

By smashing nuclei with alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Question 4

What is an advantage to nuclear fission

Answer 4

It’s modern (technology)

Question 5

What is the strong nuclear force

Answer 5

A force that holds the nucleus together (larger molecules/atoms = more unstable)

Question 6

The strong nuclear force is ______ times stronger than the electrostatic repulsion

Answer 6

100 times

Strong nuclear force drops off with distance more rapidly than the electrostatic repulsion

Question 7

Fission means….

Answer 7

To split

Question 8

Most well known nuclear fission reaction

Answer 8

Uranium-235

Question 9

How does the U-235 reaction work (how does nuclear fission work)

Answer 9

U-235 becomes U-236 by being hit by a neutron
Because U-236 is unstable it breaks down into 2 smaller atoms, Barium and Krypton

There is always the release of 3 neutrons and energy

Question 10

Nuclear meltdowns

Answer 10

Uncontrolled chain reactions (release of 3 neutrons and energy, when an atom breaks down, etc.)

Nuclear bombs

Question 11

CANDU

Answer 11

Canadian deuterium uranium reactor

Question 12

Hazardous wastes (what can be reused)

Answer 12

Fuel rods can be re-used
Other waste is either stored underground or in concrete and it is 20 half-lives before the material is safe

Question 13

Nuclear fission equation

Answer 13

neutron (n) 1, 0 + U-235, 92 ——> Kr 92, 36 + Ba 141, 56 + 3 n 1, 0 + energy