Nuclear Decay And Nuclear Energy Flashcards
what is nuclear fission
The splitting of large unstable nuclei to form smaller more stable nuclei
(+ the emission of spare neutrons)
what needs to happen to induce fission
the unstable nuclei must absorb a neutron
What term is used to describe nuclei in which fission can be induced through the absorption of slow neutrons?
Fissile Nuclei
Alongside two smaller nuclei, what else is emitted in a fission reaction?
- Two or three neutrons
- Gamma rays
- Energy
What form of energy do all fission products have
Kinetic energy
name a common fissile nuclei
uranium-235
name the 3 main components of the core of a nuclear reactor
- fuel rods
- control rods
- moderator
what happens during a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor
- unstable nucleus absorbs a neutron
- The nucleus undergoes fission and releases 2 or 3 further neutrons
- these induce further fission, which results in a chain reaction
what are the consequences of an uncontrolled reaction
- production of too much energy.
this can lead to a nuclear explosion
how is the chain rector in a fission reactor kept under control
- control rods are positioned between fuel rods
- the rate of fission is controlled by moving the rods up and down
THE LOWER THE RODS, THE SLOWER THE RATE OF FISSION
What is the role of a moderator in a nuclear reactor
- to slow down the speed of the neutrons
this allows them to be travelling at speeds that allows them to be absorbed by fissile nuclei. (causing fission)
what is nuclear fusion
the joining of 2 light nuclei to produce a heavier nucleus and release energy
which releases more energy? fission or fusion?
Nuclear fusion
what are the difficulties of generating energy through nuclear fusion
- fusion requires very high temperatures. therefore requires a lot of energy
- reactor needs special equipment to withstand heat
why is nuclear fusion not currently a viable way to produce energy on earth
- energy is required is greater than energy produced.
