Topic 6 - Radioactivity - Nuclear Power And Nuclear Energy Flashcards
What is the process called when uranium fuel splits and releases neutrons?
Fission
Fission occurs in a chain reaction where absorbed neutrons cause further uranium nuclei to split.
What gas is not produced during nuclear power generation?
Carbon dioxide
What are two primary safety risks associated with nuclear power?
Radiation leakage and uncontrollable chain reactions leading to meltdowns
What security concern is associated with nuclear power?
Terrorists obtaining radioactive material
What is the public perception of nuclear power largely influenced by?
Fatal disasters caused by nuclear power plants
What is a major challenge in nuclear waste disposal?
Initial extreme heat requiring cooling before underground storage
Where must nuclear waste initially be placed to cool down?
Deep in lakes, or ‘cooling ponds’
What is the process of combining small nuclei under immense temperature and pressure?
Fusion
What is the energy source for stars?
Fusion
What is required to overcome the electrostatic repulsion of protons in fusion?
A lot of energy
What makes practical and economic fusion power stations difficult to achieve?
The need for high temperatures and pressures
What is the process called when a nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei after absorbing neutrons?
Fission
What is radioactive decay?
When an unstable nucleus decays into two smaller nuclei
What do fission, fusion, and radioactive decay all have in common?
They release energy
