TLO 1 Neutron Interactions With Matter

Question 1

ELO 1 Describe Elastic Scattering

Answer 1

The neutron does not contribute to nuclear excitation of the target nucleus because of conservation of momentum. Kinetic energy is conserved.

Question 2

ELO 1 Describe Inelastic Scattering

Answer 2

The target nucleus absorbs the incident neutron by forming a compound nucleus and transfers the kinetic energy into nuclear excitation. The compound nucleus emits a neutron of lower kinetic energy than the incident neutron, leaving the nucleus in an excited state.

Question 3

ELO 2 Describe Radiative Capture

Answer 3

A type of neutron absorption reaction, the incident neutron interacts with the target nucleus forming a compound nucleus which then decays to its ground state via gamma emission.

Question 4

ELO 2 Describe Particle Ejection

Answer 4

A type of neutron absorption reaction, the incident neutron interacts with the target nucleus forming a compound nucleus which excites enough to eject a new particle (alpha particles, protons) leaving the incident neutron in the nucleus.

Question 5

ELO 2 Describe Fission

Answer 5

A type of neutron absorption reaction, the incident neutron interacts with the target nucleus absorbing into the nucleus and splits the nucleus into two smaller nuclei called fission fragments. This reaction releases multiple neutrons and a considerable amount of energy (kinetic energy & gamma rays) in addition to the fragments.