P4h- Fission and Fusion Flashcards
What do nuclear power stations use as fuel?
Uranium
What are the main stages in the production of electricity?
Source of energy
Used to produce steam
Used to produce electricity
How is domestic electricity generated at a nuclear power station?
- Nuclear reaction
- Heat produced which heats the water
- Water produces steam
- Steam turns turbine
- Turbine drives generator
What happens to allow uranium to release energy?
Nuclear fission:
- uranium nucleus hit by a neutron
- which causes it to split
- energy is released and more neutrons are released
What does nuclear fission produce?
Radioactive waste
How is the decay of uranium a chain reaction?
- when each uranium nucleus splits more than one neutron is given out
- these neutrons can cause further uranium nuclei to split
How do scientists keep nuclear reactions under control?
-control rods placed in the reactor to absorb some of the neutrons -allowing enough neutrons to remain to keep the process operating
What is fisson?
The splitting of the nuclei
What is fusion?
The joining of nuclei
How does nuclear fusion release energy?
- two nuclei join together
- fusion produces large amounts of heat energy
- fusion happens at extremely high temperatures
Why is fusion for power generation difficult?
- requires extremely high temperatures
- high temperatures have to be safely managed
Why is fusion power research carried out as an international joint venture?
To share costs, expertise, experience and the benefits
What are the conditions needed for fusion to take place in stars?
Fusion happens under extremely high temperatures and pressure
What are the conditions needed for fusion in fusion bombs?
Started with a fission reaction which created a high temperature
What are the conditions needed for power generation?
Extremely high temperatures and high pressures which creates safety and practical challenges
Why is cold fusion still not accepted as a realistic method of energy production?
Few scientists managed to reproduce their results when they repeated their experiment
What is cold fusion?
Nuclear fusion occuring at room temperature rather than extremely high temperatures
