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Physics > Unit 2 - Nuclear Reactions > Flashcards

Unit 2 - Nuclear Reactions Flashcards

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1
Q

What does the mass number represent?

A

The number of protons plus neutrons

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2
Q

What are the three types of radioactive decay?

A

Alpha, beta and gamma

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3
Q

What is emitted during alpha decay?

A

Helium nucleus

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4
Q

What is the mass no & atomic no of a helium nucleus?

A 
Mass = 4 
Atomic = 2
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5
Q

What is emitted during beta decay?

A

An electron and a neutrino

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6
Q

What effect does gamma emission have on mass and atomic no.

A

None

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7
Q

What happens to mass and atomic number during beta emission?

A

Mass number stays the same

Atomic number increases by one

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8
Q

What happens to the mass and atomic number during alpha emission?

A

Mass number decreases by 4

Atomic number decreases by 2

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9
Q

What is nuclear fission?

A

When a large nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei

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10
Q

What are the 2 types of nuclear fission?

A

Spontaneous

Induced

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11
Q

When does induced fission take place?

A

When a large nucleus is bombarded with neutrons and absorbs one of them. Making the nucleus unstable and causing it to split

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12
Q

What is nuclear fission the basis of?

A

Chain reactions

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13
Q

What is nuclear fusion?

A

When 2 small nuclei join together to make a larger nucleus

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14
Q

In nuclear reactions why is the total mass before greater than the total mass after?

A

Some of the mass has been converted into energy

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15
Q

What equation is used to calculate the energy released in nuclear reactions?

A

E = mc^2

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16
Q

What are the steps to find energy released in a nuclear reaction?

A

Find mass before
Find mass after
Find difference in mass
E=mc^2

17
Q

What does the atomic number represent?

A

The number of protons in the nucleus

18
Q

What does nuclear decay do to atoms

A

Makes them more stable

19
Q

What is an Alpha particle?

A

A helium nucleus

20
Q

What is the mass and atomic number of a beta particle

A 
Mass = 0 
Atomic = -1
21
Q

What is a beta particle often represented by?

A

An electron

22
Q

What is emitted during gamma emission?

A

A high energy Photon of electromagnetic radiation

23
Q

What is spontaneous fission?

A

A natural process in which a larger nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei

24
Q

What does nuclear fission result in the release of?

A

Neutrons

25
Q

How do u tell if a fission reaction is spontaneous or induced?

A

A neutron on the left hand side = induced

Otherwise = spontaneous

26
Q

What can nuclear fission be used to produce energy in?

A

Nuclear reactors

27
Q

Where & why does nuclear fusion take place?

A

In stars to release energy

28
Q

What is the rule concerning mass in all nuclear reactions?

A

The total mass before is greater than the total mass after

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