Topic 10- Nuclear Radiation

Question 1

What is mass defect?

Answer 1

The difference between the mass of nucleus and the sum of the masses of its constituent nucleons.

Question 2

What weighs more, a nucleus or its separated nucleons?

Answer 2

Separated nucleons, due to energy/mass equivalence (energy is released)

Question 3

What is binding energy?

Answer 3

The energy that is required to break a nucleus into its constituent nucleons

Question 4

Is the actual mass of U-235 less than or greater than 235u?

Answer 4

Less

Question 5

What is nuclear fusion?

Answer 5

High KE, to overcome to electrostatic repulsion.
High temp (100x10^6)K
High density
High energy environment (Stars core, if on earth then low pressure)

Question 6

What is an alpha particle made of?

Answer 6

2 protons and 2 neutrons

Question 7

What can beta particles be stopped by?

Answer 7

Few mm of aluminium

Question 8

What is radioactive decay defined as?

Answer 8

The spontaneous disintegration of a nucleus to form a more stable nucleus, resulting in the emission of an alpha, beta or gamma particle.

Question 9

What is spontaneous defined as?

Answer 9

A process which cannot be influenced by environmental factors, such as
-Temp
-Pressure
-Chemical conditions