Unit 3 - Nuclear Chemistry - Nuclear Energy

Question 1

Why are most fission power plants located on the East Coast? (3)

Answer 1

1. Uses a lot of water for cooling
2. Need to be located near freshwater sources
3. Abundant on the East Coast

Question 2

What is Strontium-90 and its significance? (3)

Answer 2

1. Chemically similar to Ca
2. Obtained from dairy and veg. products
3. Accumulates in bone

Question 3

What is Iodine-131 and its significance? (2)

Answer 3

1. Concentrates in the thyroid glands
2. Iodine tablets are taken to prevent the uptake of Iodine-131 (if there was unwanted radioation exposure)

Question 4

What percentage of US energy comes from nuclear energy?

Answer 4

20%

Question 5

What is the difference between civilian nuclear power plants and weapons-grade uranium?

Answer 5

1. Civilian - Use less enriched uranium
   (2 - 3.5% of U - 235)
2. Weapon Grade - Enriched to 90% U - 235

Question 6

How is radiation therapy used? (3)

Process, Symptoms

Answer 6

1. Radiation aimed (to kill) at the cancerous tissue
2. Most lethal to fast-growing cells
3. Nausea, vomiting, and hair loss (Early signs of radiation sickness)

Question 7

What is Gamma Ray Imaging and its use? (2)

Answer 7

1. Technetium-99m emits gamma radiation
2. Can be used to image organs and tissue

Question 8

What is food irradiation? (3)

Answer 8

1. Radioisotopes
2. Destroy microorganisms
3. That cause food spoilage

Question 9

Uranium 238 Dating?

Answer 9

Age of Rocks (4.5 Billion Yrs)

Question 10

Carbon 14 Dating?

Answer 10

Age of Living Things (5715 Years)

Question 11

What are the risks of radiation? (4)

Answer 11

1. Ionizing of cells -
   Destroys molecules through the removal e -
2. Affects fast-growing cells & tissues
   (White blood cells and Bone marrow)
3. Disrupts DNA - Causes mutations
4. Direct burns to plants and animals

Question 12

What is background radiation and its primary source? (3)

Answer 12

1. 75% of all exposure of Radiation
2. Primarily from natural sources
3. Largest component is Radon (55%)

Question 13

What’s Radon? (3)

Answer 13

1. 2nd leading cause of Lung Cancer
2. Naturally occurring radioactive gas
3. Produced by breakdown of uranium
   (In soil, rock, and water)

Question 14

How can Radon enter homes?

Answer 14

Through foundation cracks and other openings due to pressure differences between the soil and the home.

Question 15

What happens if there are not enough radioactive atoms in the path of the neutrons that are released in a fission reactor?

Answer 15

The chain reaction will cease

Question 16

What must be present for a chain reaction to be sustained in a fission reactor?

Answer 16

Critical Mass - Minimum amount of fissionable material (Uranium 235)

Question 17

What is a Reactor Meltdown? (4)

Answer 17

1. Uncontrolled nuclear reaction
2. Reactor gets too hot and may melt
3. Destroying containment of radiation
4. Contaminating the environment

Question 18

Where does the remaining 25% of exposure of radiation come from?

Answer 18

Medical radiation (X - Rays)

Question 19

What are two ways to protect yourself from exposure radiation?

Answer 19

Distance - Lower intensity of radiation with increasing distance from radioactive source

Shielding - Lead is commonly used, for it absorb gamma rays’ high penetrating power