2/5/2024 NUCLEAR REACTION ENERGY, FUSION, FISSION Flashcards
Why should I not be afraid of failure?
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. You never fail until you stop trying.
What are quarks?
Elementary particles that combine to form protons and neutrons
What is Nuclear Fusion?
A reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei, usually deuterium and tritium, combine to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles. The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as either the release or absorption of energy.
- Initially, large repulsions
- High temperature required
- Strong Force takes over
- Large amount of energy released
- Overall lower energy state
What is Neutron Capture?
The absorption of a neutron by a nucleus. When a nucleus captures enough neutrons, it become unstable.
What is Nuclear Fission?
A reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei. The fission process often produces gamma photons, and releases a very large amount of energy.
What does Nuclear Fission have to do with Chain Reactions?
Chain Reactions are self-sustaining series of fission reactions (think of bowling pins)
- ATOMIC BOMBS USE THESE CHAIN REACTIONS
What is the Critical Mass?
The minimum quantity of fissionable material needed to sustain a chain reaction
What is the Binding Energy?
The energy that holds the nucleons together in a nucleus (energy required to “undo” strong force)
- Energy required to separate ALL protons and neutrons in a nucleus
Can binding energy change?
Yes. It is dependent on the composition of the nucleus, so the same elements can have different binding energy depending on neutron/proton ratio
What does the strong nuclear force do?
The strong nuclear force converts mass into energy to hold the nucleus together
What is mass defect?
The difference between the mass of a stable nucleus and the masses of its individual nucleons
Why does the mass defect (change in mass) even exist?
Gamma radiation
Where does nuclear fusion take place?
In incredibly hot temperatures (THE SUN!)
