Nuclear Fusion

Question 1

How does the strong force work?

Answer 1

This works at small distances ( 1 * 10-15m) and holds the protons and neutrons together to overcome the repulsive electrostatic force which holds the protons apart.

Question 2

The strong force disappears at …

Answer 2

Higher distances.

Question 3

How does nuclear fusion work?

Answer 3

Two nuclei combine to form a larger nuclei, such as hydrogen to helium. The repulsive electrostatic force is overcome by the strong force to hold the nuclei together, which needs lots of heat energy.

Question 4

What did Einstein say about mass?

Answer 4

Mass is energy. In nuclear fusion or fission mass is lost as energy. Mass can then be converted into other forms of energy.

Question 5

What is Einstein’s equation?

Answer 5

Energy (J) = mass (kg) * speed of light squared

Question 6

What did Rutherford’s scattering show?

Answer 6

In 1909 Rutherford, Marsden, and Geiger shot positively charged gold alpha particles at a sheet of gold foil. Most passed through showing most of the cell is empty space but some cells were deflected showing that the nucleus must be positively charged.