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    Nuclear Energy.: LESSON 4 - Understanding

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    TS Shong
    A nuclear chain reaction occurs when one nucleus splits and produces neutrons that cause further fissions, sustaining the reaction. In nuclear fission, a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei along with neutrons. This can be a controlled reaction in nuclear reactors or uncontrolled in bombs. Nuclear fusion combines light nuclei into heavier ones and is the process that powers stars like the Sun.

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    Nuclear Energy.: LESSON 4 - Understanding

    Uploaded by

    TS Shong
    86 views6 pages
    A nuclear chain reaction occurs when one nucleus splits and produces neutrons that cause further fissions, sustaining the reaction. In nuclear fission, a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei along with neutrons. This can be a controlled reaction in nuclear reactors or uncontrolled in bombs. Nuclear fusion combines light nuclei into heavier ones and is the process that powers stars like the Sun.

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    Lesson 10.4 Smktsd Pc01

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    A nuclear chain reaction occurs when one nucleus splits and produces neutrons that cause further fissions, sustaining the reaction. In nuclear fission, a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei along with neutrons. This can be a controlled reaction in nuclear reactors or uncontrolled in bombs. Nuclear fusion combines light nuclei into heavier ones and is the process that powers stars like the Sun.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    86 views6 pages

    Nuclear Energy.: LESSON 4 - Understanding

    Uploaded by

    TS Shong
    A nuclear chain reaction occurs when one nucleus splits and produces neutrons that cause further fissions, sustaining the reaction. In nuclear fission, a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei along with neutrons. This can be a controlled reaction in nuclear reactors or uncontrolled in bombs. Nuclear fusion combines light nuclei into heavier ones and is the process that powers stars like the Sun.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    of 6

    Chain reaction

    A reaction that is self sustaining as a result of the


    products of one step initiating a subsequent step.
    In nuclear chain reactions the succession depends
    on the production and capture of neutrons.
    Thus, one nucleus of isotope uranium-235 can
    disintegrate with production of two or three
    neutrons, which cause similar fission of adjacent
    nuclei. These in turn produce more neutrons which
    go off and split other uranium atom - and so on.

    LESSON 4 - Understanding
    nuclear energy.
    Atomic mass unit (a.m.u.)
    The atomic mass unit (u) is the unit of mass for
    atoms and subatomic particles such as the proton,
    neutron and electron.
    1 a.m.u or 1 u is 1 of the mass of the
    12
    carbon-12 atom.
    1 u = 1.66 x 10-27 kg
    Example 1
    The mass of an atom Cobalt-60 is 59.933820 u.
    What is the mass of the atom in kilogram?

    Nuclear Fission
    Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus
    into two lighter nuclei, which subsequently emit
    either two or three neutrons and release of large
    amounts of energy.
    The example of a nuclear fission is shown as follow:

    A controlled chain reaction is used in nuclear power


    stations while an uncontrolled chain reaction is
    used in nuclear bombs.
    Critical mass
    The minimum mass of fission material that will
    sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
    For example , when a nucleus of uranium-235
    disintegrates two or three neutrons are released in
    the process, each of which is capable of causing
    another nucleus to disintegrate , so creating a chain
    reaction. However, in a mass of U-235 less than the
    critical mass, too many neutrons escape from the
    surface of the material without hitting , preventing a
    chain reaction from happening.

    When a uranium-235 is bombarded by a neutron , it


    is split into two fission fragments (Kripton-131 and
    Barium-142 ) and three free neutrons.
    Another example of nuclear fission is :

    35

    Nuclear Energy
    According to Albert Einstein, In a nuclear reaction
    (nuclear fission and fusion) neither mass nor energy
    are conserved separately but they can exchanged
    one for the other and only the mass-energy is
    conserved. A loss of mass means that the mass has
    changed to energy.
    The relationship between the mass and the energy
    is given by the equation:

    E = mc2
    In the atom bomb, therefore, two or more subcritical masses have to brought together to make a
    mass in excess of the critical mass before the bomb
    will explode.

    Where E = energy released


    m= loss of mass or mass defect
    c = speed of light = 3 x 108 ms-1

    Nuclear Fusion
    Nuclear fusion is the combining of two lighter nuclei
    to form a heavier nucleus with the release of large
    amount of energy.
    The example of a nuclear fusion is shown as follow:

    Example 2
    Polonium-210 undergoes alpha decay to become
    plumbum-206 . The equation for the decay is:
    210

    206

    Po Pb + He + energy
    82

    84

    Additional information:

    Nuclear fusion is believed to be process by which


    energy is released by the Sun. When two
    hydrogen-2 nuclei moving at high speed collide,
    they can join together to produce a heavier
    nucleus. A large amount of energy is released.
    The temperature of a gas must be high giving a
    high average kinetic energy. Due to the requirement
    of high temperature, nuclear fusion is also known
    as a thermonuclear reaction.
    Hydrogen bombs are made following the principle
    of nuclear fusion.
    Another example of nuclear fusion is :

    Mass Po = 209.982 u
    Mass Pb = 205.969 u
    Mass He = 4.004 u
    1 u = 1.66 x 10-27kg
    c = 3 x 108 ms-1
    Using the equation and the information above ,
    calculate
    (a) The mass defect
    (b) The energy released
    (c) The power generated in 2 ms

    36

    Generation of electricity from nuclear energy


    Nuclear Power Station

    The pros and cons of using nuclear fission to


    generate electricity
    Nuclear power is controversial. Here are some
    arguments for and against using nuclear power
    station to generate electricity.

    1. Nuclear power provides cheaper electricity


    than any other method because the
    nuclear power stations need less fuel than
    stations which use fossil fuels.
    The price of nuclear fuel is more stable
    than fossil fuels.
    Vast reserves of nuclear fuel in the world.

    The energy released from nuclear fission can be


    used to generate electricity. A nuclear power station
    consists two main components:
    (a) Nuclear reactor
    (b) Generator
    The main components of nuclear reactor :
    Component
    Function
    Graphite core Acts as moderator to slow down
    the fast neutrons produced by the
    fission.
    In some nuclear power plant, the
    moderator is water.
    Uranium rod
    To produce nuclear power when
    (fuel)
    the fission reactions occur in the
    uranium rod
    Boron control To control the rate of fission
    rod
    reaction.
    The control rods are lowered into
    the reactor core to absorb some of
    the neutrons and thus reduce the
    rate of the fission reaction.
    Sometimes the rod is made of
    cadmium
    Coolant
    To take away heat from the
    nuclear reactor.
    Heavy water and carbon dioxide
    are used as coolant because they
    have high specific heat capacity.
    Concrete
    To prevent leakage of radiation
    shield
    from the reactor core
    The main components of generator :
    Component
    Function
    Steam
    To change water into steam when
    generator
    the water in the generator is
    heated.
    The steam then drives the turbines
    Turbine
    To turn the coils in the dynamo in
    the electrical generator to produce
    electricity

    2. Safety procedures in the administration of


    nuclear reactors are very advanced and
    safe.
    Workers in nuclear power stations are at
    less risk than those in other energy
    industries. Many people have been killed
    in accidents in coal mining and oil rigs;
    very few comparable accidents have
    occurred in nuclear power stations.
    3. Nuclear power is clean because produces
    less waste than fossil fuels.
    Burning fossil fuels in power stations does
    more damage to the environment than
    nuclear power stations. One of the major
    causes of acid rain is the sulphur dioxide
    and nitrogen dioxides released from
    burning coal in power stations.
    So nuclear power does not add to the
    greenhouse effect.
    4. Produces useful radioisotopes as byproducts that can be used in industry,
    medicine, agriculture and research.

    1. The initial cost to design and build a


    nuclear power station is very high.
    Used fuel rods are very hot and highly
    radioactive with very long halve-lives.
    Expensive procedures are required to
    cool down the rods and store them.

    37

    2. There is always a risk of accidents. If


    something goes wrong with a nuclear
    power station , it is very much more
    serious than an accident at a
    conventional power station. The effects
    cross national boundaries and can be felt
    many hundreds of kilometers away.
    The hot water discharged from the
    nuclear power stations can be caused
    thermal pollution.
    People who work in the nuclear power
    station and those living nearby may be
    exposed to excessive radiations.

    Which nuclear reaction is taking place?


    A Fission of hydrogen
    B Fusion of hydrogen
    C Fission of uranium
    D Fusion of uranium

    The arguments about nuclear power do not lead to


    any clear conclusion. It is not the sort of question
    which can be resolved and answered by simply
    looking at the facts. For some people one of these
    points is so important that it outweighs all the
    others. No one can simply weigh up all the
    evidence and arrive at the right decision. There will
    always be room for discussion and argument.

    It is possible for a chain reaction to occur in


    nuclear fission because
    A new neutrons are produced
    B two fission fragments are produced
    C a large amount of energy is released
    D fission does not require a very high
    temperature

    In a nuclear reactor , the neutrons produced


    are slowed down by
    A Uranium rod
    B Graphite core
    C Boron control rod

    What energy changes take place in a nuclear


    power station?
    A Heat energy Mechanical energy
    Nuclear energy
    B Nuclear energy Heat energy
    Electrical energy
    C Heat energy Nuclear energy
    Electrical energy
    D Mechanical energy Heat energy
    Electrical energy

    Which of the following is not true about a


    nuclear reactor?
    Component
    Function
    A Control rod To control the rate of fission
    reaction.
    B Coolant
    To take away heat from the
    nuclear reactor
    C Graphite
    To slow down the fast neutrons
    core
    produced by the fission.
    D Concrete
    To prevent the radioactive
    shield
    radiations from atmosphere
    entering into the nuclear reactor

    Which of the following nuclear reactions is an


    example of fission?
    2
    2
    4
    A
    1H + 1H 2 He + energy

    TUTORIAL 4
    1

    A Uranium-235 nucleus will split when it


    captures
    A an alpha particle
    B a gamma ray
    C a neutron
    D a proton
    Which of the following nuclear reactions is an
    example of fusion?
    14
    0
    A 14
    6 C 7 N + -1e + energy
    2
    2
    3
    0
    B
    1H + 1H 2 He + -1e +
    energy
    21
    21
    C
    11Na 12Mg + + energy

    D
    3

    226
    88Ra

    222
    86Rn + + energy

    The diagram shows the start of a chain


    reaction.

    14
    7N

    214
    237
    + energy
    94Pu 92U +
    239
    95
    141
    92U 38 Sr + 54 Xe +

    + neutron

    3 neutrons + energy

    38

    15
    7N

    + energy

    10

    In the sun, energy is released when hydrogen


    nuclei collide and form heavier nuclei. This
    process is called
    A Ionisation
    B Diffusion
    C Fission
    D Fusion
    In which type of nuclear reaction are the nuclei
    heavier after the reaction than the were
    before?
    A
    B
    C
    D

    11

    - decay
    - decay
    Nuclear fission
    Nuclear fusion

    A
    B
    C
    D
    12

    The mass defect in a nuclear reaction is


    2 x 10 -3 kg. What is the released?
    [ Speed of light = 3.0 x 10 8 ms-1]
    A 1.8 x 10 14 J B 1.8 x 10 17 J
    C 1.6 x 10 14 J D 1.6 x 10 17 J
    E 1.6 x 10 18 J

    16

    The mass defect in a nuclear reaction is


    0.05 u. What is the released?
    [ Speed of light = 3.0 x 10 8 ms-1 ,
    1 u = 11.7 x 10 -27 kg ]
    A 2.55 x 10 -21J B 5.10 x 10 -19 J
    C 3.83 x 10 -13J D 7.65 x 10 -13 J
    E 8.97 x 10 -13 J

    17

    A nuclear reaction is represented by the


    following equation:
    235
    1
    141
    93
    92U + 0 n 55 Cs + 37Rb +
    X 01n + energy
    The information about the equation is shown
    as follow:
    Mass of 235
    92U = 235.04392 u
    Mass of

    Atom bomb
    Hydrogen bomb
    Nuclear reactor

    Mass of

    B
    C
    D

    = 140.91963 u

    (b) Name the nuclear reaction involved.

    (c)

    What is the meaning of the nuclear


    reaction in (b)?
    ................................................................

    XY+Z

    .................................................................

    Which of the following is correct?

    = 1.00867 u

    (a) What is the value of X?

    Both of the nuclear reactions experience


    mass defect
    Both of the nuclear reactions produced a
    large amount of energy
    Both of the nuclear reactions produced
    new nuclei
    Both of the nuclear reactions require
    very high temperature

    A nuclear reaction is given by the equation

    1
    0n
    141
    55 Cs
    93
    37Rb

    Mass of
    = 92.92157 u
    1 u = 11.7 x 10 -27 kg
    Speed of light = 3.0 x 10 8 ms-1

    Which of the following is not the similarity


    between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
    A

    14

    Mass and energy are both created


    Energy and mass are both lost
    Mass is converted into energy
    Energy is converted into mass

    Which of the following is made by using the


    principle of nuclear fusion.
    A
    B
    C

    13

    15

    hat happen when two nuclei of deuterium (


    2
    1H ) fuse together to form a nucleus helium
    (4
    2 He ) ?

    The atomic mass of X > The atomic


    mass of Y + the atomic mass of Z

    (d) State one application of the nuclear


    reaction in (b)

    The nucleon number of X > The nucleon


    number of Y + nucleon number of Z
    The proton number of X > The proton
    number of Y + proton number of Z

    (e) Calculate

    39

    18

    relationship between mass and energy


    involved.

    (i)

    the energy released .

    (ii)

    the power generated in 5 s.

    Table (a) shows an equation of a reaction and


    total atomic mass before and after a nuclear
    fission.

    Equation

    (b) Nuclear fission produces a chain reaction.


    Describe how the chain reaction happens in a
    nuclear fission of an atom of uranium.

    Nuclear fission
    Before reaction
    After reaction
    239
    1
    145
    Pu + n
    Ba + 93Sr +
    94

    56

    38
    1

    n + Energy

    Total
    atomic
    mass

    240.06082 u

    239.85830 u

    Table (a)
    Table (b) shows an equation of a reaction and
    total atomic mass before and after a nuclear
    fusion.

    Equation

    Nuclear fusion
    Before reaction
    After reaction
    2
    3
    4
    H+ H
    He + 1n +
    1

    Total atomic
    mass

    5.03013 u

    Energy
    5.01043 u

    Table (b)
    (a) (i)
    (ii)

    What is meant by a nuclear fission ?


    Using only the information given in
    Table(a) and (b), compare nuclear fission
    and nuclear fusion. Hence state the

    40

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