Physics

Chapter 27
is defined as a
physical process in
which there is a
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my

change in identity
of an atomic
nucleus.

CHAPTER 27: Nuclear reaction

(3 Hours)
Four types of
nuclear reaction:

1
 Physics
Chapter 27
Overview:
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my

Electrostatics

Coulomb’s Equipotential
Electric field
law surface

Electric field Charge in uniform Electric Potential

strength Electric field potential energy

2
 Physics
Chapter 27
Learning Outcome:

27.1 Nuclear reaction (1 hour)

www.kmph.matrik.edu.my

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

 State the conservation of charge (Z) and nucleon
number (A) in a nuclear reaction.
 Write and complete the equation of nuclear reaction.
 Calculate the energy liberated in the process of nuclear
reaction

3
 Physics
Chapter 27
27.1 Nuclear reaction
27.1.1 Conservation of nuclear reaction
 Any nuclear reaction must obeyed conservation laws stated
below:
 Conservation of relativistic energy (kinetic and rest
energies):

 relativistic energy 
before reaction  relativistic energy
after reaction
 Conservation of linear momentum:

 linear momentum 
before reaction  linear momentum
after reaction
 Conservation of angular momentum:

 angular momentum
before reaction   angular momentum
after reaction
4
 Physics
Chapter 27
 Conservation of charge (atomic number Z):

 atomic number Z
before reaction   atomic number Z
after reaction
 Conservation of mass number A:

 mass number A
before reaction   mass number A
after reaction
 However, it is very hard to obey all the conservation laws.
Note:
The most important of conservation laws should be obeyed
by every nuclear reaction are conservation of charge (atomic
number )and of mass number.

5
 Physics
Chapter 27
27.1.2 Reaction energy (Q)
 Energy is released (liberated) in a nuclear reaction in the form of
kinetic energy of the particle emitted, the kinetic energy of
the daughter nucleus and the energy of the gamma-ray
photon that may accompany the reaction.
 The energy is called the reaction OR disintegration energy (Q).
 It may be calculated by finding the mass defect of the reaction
where
Mass difference  mass of nucleus
before reaction mass of nucleus
productsafter reaction

m  mi  mf (27.1)

 The reaction energy Q is the energy equivalent to the mass

difference m of the reaction, thus

Q  Δm c 2
(27.2)
Speed of light in vacuum
6
 Physics
Chapter 27
Note:
 If the value of m OR Q is positive, the reaction is called
exothermic (exoergic) in which the energy released in the
form the kinetic energy of the product.
 If the value of m OR Q is negative, the reaction is called
endothermic (endoergic) in which the energy need to be
absorbed for the reaction occurred.

27.1.3 Radioactivity decay

 is defined as the phenomenon in which an unstable nucleus
disintegrates to acquire a more stable nucleus without
absorb an external energy.
 The disintegration is spontaneous and most commonly
involves the emission of an alpha particle ( OR 4 He ), a beta
0 2
particle ( OR 1 e ) and gamma-ray ( OR γ ). It also
0
0
release an energy Q known as disintegration energy.
7
 Physics
Chapter 27
Example 27.1 :
Polonium nucleus decays by alpha emission to lead nucleus can be
represented by the equation below:
212
84 Po  208
82 Pb  2 He  Q
4

Calculate
a. the energy Q released in MeV.
b. the wavelength of the gamma-ray produced.
(Given mass of Po-212, mPo=211.98885 u ; mass of Pb-208,
mPb=207.97664 u and mass of He, mHe=4.0026 u)
Solution :

8
 Physics
Chapter 27
Example 27.2 :

A nickel-66 nucleus 66 
28 Ni
decays to a new nucleus by emitting a
beta particle.
a. Write an equation to represent the nuclear reaction.
b. If the new nucleus found in part (a) has the atomic mass of
65.9284 u and the atomic mass for nickel-66 is 65.9291 u, what
is the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electron?
(Given mass of electron, me =5.48  104 u and c =3.00  108 m s1)
Solution :

9
 Physics
Chapter 27
Example 27.3 :
Table 27.1 shows the value of masses for several nuclides.
Nuclide Mass (u)
4
2 He 4.0026
23
11 Na 22.9898
27
Table 27.1 13 Al 26.9815
Discuss whether it is possible for 27
13 Al
to emit spontaneously an
alpha particle.
Solution :

10
 Physics
Chapter 27
27.1.4 Bombardment with energetic particles
 is defined as an induced nuclear reaction that does not
occur spontaneously; it is caused by a collision between a
nucleus and an energetic particles such as proton, neutron,
alpha particle or photon.
 Consider a bombardment reaction in which a target nucleus X is
bombarded by a particle x, resulting in a daughter nucleus Y,
an emitted particle y and reaction energy Q:
X  x  y  Y Q
sometimes this reaction is written in the more compact form:
target (parent) Xx, yY daughter nucleus
nucleus
bombarding emitted
particle particle
 The calculation of reaction energy Q has been discussed in
section 27.1.2. 11
 Physics
Chapter 27
 Examples of bombardment reaction:
14
7 N  4
2 He17
8 O  1
1H Q OR 14
7N  , p 178 O
7
3 Li  1
1 H  2 4
2 He  Q OR
7
3 Li p ,  4
2 He
10
5 B  1
0 n  7
3 Li  4
2 He  Q OR
10
5 B  n ,  7
3 Li
Example 27.4 :
14 17
A nitrogen nucleus 7 N is converted into an oxygen nucleus 8 O
and a proton if it is bombarded by an alpha particle carrying certain
amount of energy.
a. Write down an expression for this nuclear reaction, showing the
atomic number and the mass number of each nuclide and
particle emitted.
b. Calculate the minimum energy of the alpha particle for this
reaction to take place.
(Given mH =0.167351026 kg; m =0.66466 1026 kg ; mass of
nitrogen nucleus , mN =2.325301026 kg; mass of oxygen nucleus,
mO =2.822821026 kg ; c =3.00108 m s1) 12
 Physics
Chapter 27
Exercise 27.1 :
Given c =3.00108 m s1, mn=1.008664 u, mp=1.007276 u,
1. Complete the following radioactive decay equations :
a. 8 Be  4 He 
4 2  
b. 240
94 Po  97
38 Sr  139
56 Ba  
c. 236 U 131 I  3
92 53  n  
1
0 
d. 11 Na  1 e 
29 0
 
e. 47 Sc   47 Sc 
21 21  
20 Ca  
K  40 
40
f. 19

13
 Physics
Chapter 27

2. Calculate the energy released in the alpha decay below:

238
92 U  23490Th  42 He  Q
(Given mass of U-238, mU=238.050786 u ; mass of Th-234,
mTh=234.043583 u and mass of  particle , m=4.002603 u)
ANS. : 6.871013 J
3. The following nuclear reaction is obtained :
14
7 N  01 n 146 C11 H  0.55 MeV
14
Determine the mass of 6 C in atomic mass unit (u).
(Given the mass of nitrogen nucleus is 14.003074 u)
ANS. : 14.003872 u

14
 Physics
Chapter 27
Learning Outcome:

27.2 Nuclear fission and fusion (2 hours)

www.kmph.matrik.edu.my

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

 Distinguish the processes of nuclear fission and fusion.
 Explain the occurrence of fission and fusion using the
graph of binding energy per nucleon.
 Explain chain reaction in nuclear fission of a nuclear
reactor.
 Describe the process of nuclear fusion in the sun.

15
 Physics
Chapter 27

27.2 Nuclear fission and fusion

27.2.1 Nuclear fission
 is defined as a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus
splits into two lighter nuclei that are almost equal in mass
with the emission of neutrons and energy.
 Nuclear fission releases an amount of energy that is greater
than the energy released in chemical reaction.
 Energy is released because the average binding energy per
nucleon of the fission products is greater than that of the
parent.
 It can be divided into two types:
 spontaneous fission – very rarely occur.

 induced fission – bombarding a heavy nucleus with slow

neutrons or thermal neutrons of low energy (about 102 eV).
This type of fission is the important process in the energy
production.
16
 Physics
Chapter 27
235
 For example, consider the bombardment of 92 U by slow
neutrons. One of the possible reaction is
236 
235
92 U  1
0 n  92 U  85
35 Br 148
57 La 301 n  Q
Nucleus in the excited state.
The reaction can also be represented by the diagram in Figure
27.1.

85 1
35 Br 0n
1
1 0n
0n
235
92 U
1
236  0n
92 U Figure 27.1
148
 Other possible reactions are: 57 La
236 
235
92 U  1
0 n  92 U  89
36 Kr  144
56 Ba 301 n  Q
236 
235
92 U  1
0 n  92 U  94
38 Sr 139
54 Xe  3 1
0n Q 17
 Physics
Chapter 27
 Most of the fission fragments (daughter nuclei) of the uranium-
235 have mass numbers from 90 to 100 and from 135 to 145 as
shown in Figure 27.2.

Figure 27.2 18
 Physics
Chapter 27
Example 27.5 :
Calculate the energy released in MeV when 20 kg of uranium-235
undergoes fission according to
235
92 U  1
0 n  89
36 Kr  144
56 Ba 301 n  Q
(Given the mass of U-235 =235.04393 u, mass of neutron
=1.008664 u, mass of Kr-89 =88.91756 u, mass of Ba-144
=143.92273 u and NA =6.021023 mol1)
Solution :

19
 Physics
Chapter 27
Example 27.6 :
A uranium-235 nucleus undergoes fission reaction by bombarding it
with a slow neutron. The reaction produces a strontium-90 nucleus

90

Sr , a nucleus X and three fast neutrons.
38
a. Write down the expression represents the fission reaction.
b. If the energy released is 210 MeV, calculate the atomic mass of
nucleus X.
(Given the mass of U-235 =235.04393 u, mass of neutron
=1.008664 u and mass of Sr-90 =89.90775 u)
Solution :

20
 Physics
Chapter 27
27.2.2 Chain reaction
 is defined as a self-sustaining nuclear reaction as a result of
the products of one fission reaction initiating a subsequent
fission reaction.
 Figure 27.3 shows a schematic diagram of the chain reaction.

Simulation 27.1 21
Figure 27.3
 Physics
Chapter 27
 From Figure 27.3, one neutron initially causes one fission of a
uranium-235 nucleus, the two or three neutrons released can go
on to cause additional fissions, so the process multiples.
 This reaction obviously occurred in nuclear reactor.
 Conditions to achieve chain reaction in a nuclear reactor :
 Slow neutrons are better at causing fission – so uranium
are mixed with a material that does not absorb neutrons but
slows them down.
 The fissile material must has a critical size which is defined
as the minimum mass of fissile material that will sustain
a nuclear chain reaction where the number of neutrons
produced in fission reactions should balance the
number of neutron escape from the reactor core.
 The uncontrolled chain reactions are used in nuclear weapons –
atomic bomb (Figure 27.4).
 The controlled chain reactions take place in nuclear reactors
(Figure 27.5) and release energy at a steady rate.
22
 Physics
Chapter 27

Figure 27.4 Figure 27.5

23
 Physics
Chapter 27
27.2.3 Nuclear fusion
 is defined as a type of nuclear reaction in which two light
nuclei fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of
large amounts of energy.
 The energy released in this reaction is called thermonuclear
energy.
 Examples of fusion reaction releases the energy are
2
1 H  2
1 H  3
2 He  0n  Q
1

2
1 H  2
1 H  3
1 H 1H  Q
1

 The two reacting nuclei in fusion reaction above themselves

have to be brought into collision.
 As both nuclei are positively charged there is a strong
repulsive force between them, which can only be overcome
if the reacting nuclei have very high kinetic energies.
 These high kinetic energies imply temperatures of the order
of 108 K.
24
 Physics
Chapter 27
At these elevated temperatures, however fusion reactions

are self sustaining and the reactants are in form of a plasma
(i.e. nuclei and free electron) with the nuclei possessing
sufficient energy to overcome electrostatic repulsion forces.
 The nuclear fusion reaction can occur in fusion bomb and in the
core of a star.
 Deuterium-tritium fusion is other example of fusion reaction
where it can be represented by the diagram in Figure 27.6.
Deuterium Tritium
2 3
1H 1H

Fusion
Figure 27.6 reaction 2
1 H  3
1 H  4
2 He  1
0n Q

Alpha particle
Neutron Simulation 27.2
4
2 He
1
0n 25
 Physics
Chapter 27
Example 27.7 :
A fusion reaction is represented by the equation below:
2
1 H  2
1 H  3
1 H 1
1H

Calculate
a. the energy in MeV released from this fusion reaction,
b. the energy released from fusion of 1.0 kg deuterium,
(Given mass of proton =1.007276 u, mass of tritium =3.016049 u
and mass of deuterium =2.014102 u)
Solution :

26
 Physics
Chapter 27
27.2.4 Nuclear fusion in the sun
 The sun is a small star which generates energy on its own by
means of nuclear fusion in its interior.
 The fuel of fusion reaction comes from the protons available in
the sun.
 The protons undergo a set of fusion reactions, producing
isotopes of hydrogen and also isotopes of helium. However, the
helium nuclei themselves undergo nuclear reactions which
produce protons again. This means that the protons go through
a cycle which is then repeated. Because of this proton-proton
cycle, nuclear fusion in the sun can be self sustaining.
 The set of fusion reactions in the proton-proton cycle can be
illustrated by Figure 27.7.

27
 Physics
Chapter 27
positron (beta plus)
neutrino
1
1 H  1
1 H  2
1 H  1e  v
0
Q
2
1 H  1
1 H  2 He 
3
 Q
3
2 He  3
2 He  4
2 He  1
1 H  1
1H Q

Figure 27.7
 The amount of energy released per cycle is about 25 MeV.
 Nuclear fusion occurs in the interior of the sun because the
temperature of the sun is very high (approximately 1.5  107 K).

28
 Physics
Chapter 27
27.2.5 Comparison between fission and fusion
 Table 27.2 shows the differences between fission and fusion
reaction.
Fission Fusion
Splitting a heavy nucleus into two Combines two small nuclei to form
small nuclei. a larger nucleus.
It occurs at temperature can be It occurs at very high temperature
controlled. (108 K).
Easier to controlled and Difficult to controlled and a
sustained. sustained controlled reaction has
not yet been achieved.

Table 27.2
 The similarity between the fission and fusion reactions is both
reactions produces energy.
 Graph of binding energy per nucleon against the mass number
in Figure 27.8 is used to explain the occurrence of fission and
fusion reactions. 29
 Physics
Chapter 27
Greatest stability
nucleon (MeV/nucleon)
Binding energy per

Fission
The falling part of the binding energy curve
shows that very heavy elements such as
uranium can produce energy by fission of their
nuclei to nuclei of smaller mass number.
Fusion
The rising part of the binding energy curve
shows that elements with low mass
number can produce energy by fusion.

Figure 27.8
30
Mass number A
 Physics
Chapter 27
Exercise 27.2 :
Given c =3.00108 m s1, mn=1.008664 u, mp=1.007276 u,
1. Complete the following nuclear reaction equations:
a. 6
3 Li  23 He 42 He
b.
58
28 Ni  2
1 H    1
1H

c. 235
92 U  1
0 n 138
54 Xe  5 0n 
1
 
d. 9
4 Be , ____ 126 C
e. _____ n, p 167 N
2. Calculate the energy released in joule for the following fusion
reaction: 21 H  21 H  42 He  01 n
(Given the mass of deuterium =3.3451027 kg, mass of
tritium =5.0081027 kg, mass of He = 6.6471027 kg and
mass of neutron =1.6751027 kg)
31
ANS. : 2.81012 J
 Physics
Chapter 27
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my

Next Chapter…
CHAPTER 28 :
Radioactivity

32