Nuclear Fission

Question 1

Nuclear fission

Answer 1

The splitting of a large nucleus into two smaller nuclei with the release of a large amount of energy

Question 2

Discovery of radioactivity

Answer 2

• studying the radiation emitted from uranium salts when exposed to sunlight
• during a dull period he put the uranium salts in a drawer with some photographic film
• the film was exposed even though it hadn’t been exposed to light
• deduced that something had come from the uranium : radioactivity

Question 3

Explain chain reaction

Answer 3

One neutron fired at a nucleus causes the nucleus to split into two nuclei(undergo fission), and also released another three neutrons which cause further fission of nearby nuclei.

Question 4

How do nuclear plants generate electricity

Answer 4

Use a controlled chain reaction to produce steam to generate electricity

Question 5

Scientific impact of fission

Answer 5

• medical treatment, sterilization, radiotherapy for cancer
• make electricity
• can produce highly radioactive cancer causing products

Question 6

Social impact

Answer 6

• innocent people killed in atomic bomb

- arms race led to Cold War

Question 7

Environmental impact of fission

Answer 7

• no co2
• toxic nuclear waste that has to be stored safely
• leaks of radioactivity contaminate farm land, food and water supplies , cause cancer