Nuclear Physics Flashcards
How is power and nuclear physics related
Thermal power= no. of decays x energy per decay
Nuclear waste 6marker points
- high level waste from spent fuel rods
- cool in water pond
- recycle Uranium
- vitrify waste
- surround waste in concrete and steel and bury deep underground
Coolant role and material
Transfer thermal energy between water systems. Makes heat from fission into energy. Water.
Control rods role and material
Absorbs neutrons without become unstable. Raise and Lower. Boron and cadnium.
Moderator function and material
Slow down neutron. Made of poor absorbers of neutrons, water and graphite
Enriched Uranium
Uranium 238 enriched with Uranium 235
Critical mass
Minimum mass of fuel required for there to be a steady chain reaction
Thermal neutron
A neutron that’s at thermal equilibrium with its surroundings. Low KE and speed
What’s induced fission
A stable nucleus splits into smaller nuclei due to the absorption of a low moving neutron
What’s fission?
A heavy nucleus splits into smaller more stable nuclei
What’s fusion?
When 2 light nuclei combine into a more stable heavier nucleus
What’s Binding energy?
Energy required to separate the nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons
What’s mass deficit
Difference in mass of nucleus and the mass of individual protons and neutrons
How can you estimate the radius of a nucleus?
Close Approach Method - KE is equal to electric potential energy
Electron Scattering - accelerate Electron so de broglie is the same as size of nucleus sin=1.22lambda/diameter of nucleus
What is Uranium dating?
More Uranium 206 found. Initial U 283 has a half life of 4.5bil years
