Nuclear Reactions

Question 1

What is a source of energy in the sun?

Answer 1

Fusion.

Question 2

What is fission?

Answer 2

A nuclear reaction in which a large nucleus breaks apart, producing two or more smaller nuclei, subatomic particles, and energy.

Question 3

What is a source of energy for all the nuclear power generation used today?

Answer 3

Fission.

Question 4

How is the daughter products of fission like?

Answer 4

They are often radioactive and are a significant waste disposal problem.

Question 5

What is fusion?

Answer 5

A nuclear reaction in which small nuclei combine to produce a larger nucleus. Other subatomic particles and energy are release in the process.

Question 6

Difference of chemical reaction and nuclear reaction.

Answer 6

• In chemical reactions, mass is conserved, energy changes are relatively small.
• There are no changes to the nuclei in chemical reactions.

Question 7

What changes are there to the nucleus in a nuclear reaction?

Answer 7

• Protons, neutrons, electrons, and/or gamma rays can be lost or gained.
• Small changes of mass=huge changes in energy.

Question 8

How can a nuclear reaction be induced?

Answer 8

By smashing nuclei with alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

Question 9

What are the rules for writing equations for induced nuclear reactions?

Answer 9

• Sum of the mass # on each side of equation stays the same.

- Sum of the charges (represented by atomic numbers) on each side of the equation stays the same.

Question 10

What do most nuclear fission reactors and nuclear weapons use to smash the nuclei?

Answer 10

A neutron.

Question 11

What is a chain reaction?

Answer 11

When a nuclear fission has started, and it keeps on going. Each neutron released triggers more reactions.

Question 12

What do nuclear reactors have to ensure the chain reaction stays at safe levels?

Answer 12

They have complex systems.

-Materials that absorb neutrons, such as cadmium rods, can be inserted into the reactor.

Question 13

What happens if a chain reactions gets out of control?

Answer 13

A violent nuclear explosion happens.

Question 14

What can nuclear power plants do?

Answer 14

They can generate large amounts of electricity.

Question 15

Why are wastes produced by nuclear reactions problematic?

Answer 15

• Only some wastes like fuel rods can be reused.

- Some wastes are super radioactive and must be stored away from living things.

Question 16

Where do some of the radioactive waste go?

Answer 16

• buried underground

- it takes thousands of years before the material reaches safe levels of radioactivity.

Question 17

What does a fusion reaction need from a fission nuclear reaction to get it started?

Answer 17

Heat and Pressure.