Nuclear Physics Exam Questions Flashcards

1
Q

State what happens to a neutron that is incident on the moderator (1)

A

Neutron collides elastically with nucleus and kinetic energy is reduced

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2
Q

State what happens to a neutron that is incident on a control rod (1)

A

Nucleus absorbs neutron

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3
Q

A slow moving neutron collides with a nucleus and causes fission
Describe what happens (3)

A

Nucleus is absorbed by the nucleus
Nucleus is split into two daughter nuclei fragments
Neutrons are released (plural is necessary for mark)

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4
Q

A thermal nuclear reactor produces radioactive waste
State the source of this waste and discuss the problems faced in dealing with it at various stages
Include: main source of most dangerous waste, brief outline of how waste is treated, problems faced in dealing with waste and solutions for these problems (6)

A

Fission fragments from fission of U-235 or from spent fuel rods

Waste is initially placed in cooling ponds near reactor
Plutonium/Uranium is separated to be recycled
Waste is placed in bunkers stored deep underground

Waste is initially very hot so is cooled in water
Waste will be radioactive for thousands of years so storage must be stable, hence waste is vitrified

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5
Q

What is the equation for mass defect? (1)

A

Mass of individual protons and neutrons minus nuclear mass of nucleus (measured in u)

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6
Q

The Rutherford scattering experiment led to which discovery? (1)

A

Nucleus

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7
Q

If a count rate from a Geiger counter is reduced by aluminium foil and thick steel only, what radiation is emitted by the source? (1)

A

Beta
Gamma

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8
Q

Suggest, with a reason, which type of radiation is most appropriate for sterilising metallic surgical instruments (1)

A

Gamma
It can pass through all instruments

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9
Q

Decay is modelled as water flow from a tube via a tap, how can the apparatus be changed to represent more nuclei (1)

A

Increase depth of water

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10
Q

Decay is modelled as water flow from a tube via a tap, how can the apparatus be changed to represent a smaller decay constant (1)

A

Narrower tube

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11
Q

Explain why there is an imbalance between proton and neutron numbers by referring to forces in the nucleus and include the forces’ ranges and the particles affected (4)

A

Strong nuclear force has a range up to 3 fm and affects neutrons and protons keeping them attracted but not too close as its repulsive under 1 fm
Electrostatic force is repulsive between protons and has a much larger range than strong nuclear force
More neutrons than protons to keep the forces balanced

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12
Q

A thallium nucleus is formed in an excited state
Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the atom
Explain the origin and location of two sources of this radiation (2)

A

Electron excited, releases photons on moving down energy levels
Nucleus excited, releases gamma

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13
Q

Explain why metastable form of technetium is a radioactive source suitable for medical diagnosis (2)

A

Half life is stable enough for measurements to be made and fast enough to decay quickly after use
Only emits gamma radiation so is very safe

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14
Q

What causes Brownian motion with smoke particles and air? (1)

A

Collisions between smoke particles and air molecules

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15
Q

What is most often used as a moderator in a nuclear reactor? (1)

A

Water

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16
Q

Explain why the public need not worry that irradiated surgical instruments become radioactive once sterilised (1)

A

To become radioactive the nucleus has to be affected which ionising radiation does not do

17
Q

Why might results not follow the inverse square law for measuring count rate with distance using a GM tube? (2)

A

Random nature of decay
Distance measured is not the real distance between source and detector