nuclear physics Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is nuclear fission?
Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a heavy nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei, accompanied by the release of energy.
What is nuclear fusion?
Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process.
True or False: Fission occurs naturally in stars.
False. Fusion occurs naturally in stars, while fission is typically induced in nuclear reactors.
What is the primary fuel used in nuclear fission reactors?
Uranium-235 is the primary fuel used in nuclear fission reactors.
Fill in the blank: The ______ model of the atom proposed that electrons are embedded in a positively charged ‘soup’.
plum pudding
Who proposed the plum pudding model?
J.J. Thomson proposed the plum pudding model.
What did Rutherford’s gold foil experiment demonstrate?
Rutherford’s gold foil experiment demonstrated that atoms have a small, dense nucleus at their center.
True or False: Rutherford’s model of the atom included a fixed orbit for electrons.
False. Rutherford’s model suggested that electrons orbit the nucleus but did not define fixed paths.
What is half-life?
Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
Which isotope is commonly used to calculate half-life in carbon dating?
Carbon-14 is commonly used to calculate half-life in carbon dating.
Multiple Choice: Which process releases more energy per reaction, fission or fusion?
Fusion releases more energy per reaction than fission.
What is the main product of nuclear fission reactions?
The main products are lighter nuclei, neutrons, and energy.
Fill in the blank: The ______ model was later replaced by the planetary model of the atom.
Rutherford
True or False: The plum pudding model accurately described the structure of the atom.
False. The plum pudding model was eventually proven incorrect.
What happens to the mass during nuclear fusion?
A small amount of mass is converted into energy according to Einstein’s equation E=mc^2.
What is a common application of nuclear fission?
Nuclear fission is commonly used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.
What is the significance of the critical mass in fission?
Critical mass is the minimum amount of fissile material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a product of nuclear fission? A) Neutrons B) Helium C) Energy
B) Helium is not a product of nuclear fission.
How does increasing temperature affect fusion reactions?
Increasing temperature provides the necessary energy to overcome the repulsive forces between nuclei, facilitating fusion.
What is an example of a fusion reaction that occurs in stars?
The fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form helium is an example of a fusion reaction that occurs in stars.
Fill in the blank: The ______ model depicted electrons as discrete particles orbiting the nucleus.
planetary
True or False: Half-life is constant for a specific isotope, regardless of environmental conditions.
True. Half-life is a characteristic property of a specific isotope.
What is the relationship between half-life and decay constant?
Half-life is inversely related to the decay constant; the shorter the half-life, the larger the decay constant.
What is one limitation of the plum pudding model?
It could not explain the results of Rutherford’s gold foil experiment, particularly the existence of a dense nucleus.
