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Science > Nuclear fission & fusion > Flashcards

Nuclear fission & fusion Flashcards

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1
Q

Nuclear power stations use what

A

Fission

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2
Q

Nuclear fission gives off

A

Heat

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3
Q

What 2 isotopes are used in power stations

A

Uranium 235

Plutonium 239

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4
Q

What is fired into a nucleus into a nuclear of an isotope to start fission

A

neutron

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5
Q

When a neutron is fired at an isotope what is produced ( 3 )

A

1/ Energy
2/ 2 smaller nuclei
2/ 2 or 3 more neutrons

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6
Q

In fission, what type of reaction happens

A

Chain reaction

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7
Q

What is the process that joins nuclei

A

Fusion

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8
Q

Why is fusion a problem

A

Both nuclei have positive charges

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9
Q

Where does fusion happen naturally

A

Centre of stars

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10
Q

Why can fusion occur in stars ( 2 )

A

1/ Lots of heat

2/ Large gravitational force

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11
Q

Advantages of fusion ( 2 )

A

1/ No bi products

2/ Lots of energy released

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12
Q

Advantages of fission ( 2 )

A

1/ Technology available

2/ Large amounts of energy

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13
Q

Disadvantages of fusion ( 2 )

A

1/ Not available

2/ Very high temperatures required

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14
Q

Disadvantages of fission ( 1 )

A

1/ Produces radioactive waste

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15
Q

What is the first stage of a star

A

A protostar

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16
Q

What is a protostar

A

A large cloud of hydrogen and helium the is drawn in by gravity

17
Q

When does fusion occur in the life cycle of stars

A

Main sequence star

18
Q

What is the force pushing inwards

A

gravity

19
Q

What is the force pushing outward

A

Nuclear reactions

20
Q

What defines the main sequence start

A

When the forces are balanced

21
Q

What happens when fuel in the main sequence star runs scarce

A

It becomes a red giant or red supergiant

22
Q

What happens when a red giant collapses under the force of gravity (When its the size of our sun or smaller)

A

It becomes a white dwarf

23
Q

What happens when a white dwarf cools down because of no fusion

A

It becomes a black dwarf

24
Q

What happens when a red super-giant collapses

A

A supernova occurs

25
Q

What does a supernova do

A

Scatters elements from the star throughout the Universe

26
Q

During the main sequence of stars, what is the heaviest element that can be made

A

Iron

27
Q

What is the heaviest element that can be made during a supernova

A

Gold

28
Q

After a supernova what 2 bodies can be made

A

1/ Black hole

2/ Neutron star

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