(a) State two; (i) differences between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission; (ii) peaceful uses of...
(a) State two;
(i) differences between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission;
(ii) peaceful uses of atomic energy
(b)(i) Explain chain reaction
(ii) State (I) one condition necessary for chain reaction to occur.
(II) two components in a nuclear reactor used to control chain reaction.
(c)(i) A nuclear reaction is given \(^2_1H + ^3_1H = ^4_0n\) + energy
What type of nuclear reaction is it?
(ii) The isotope of a nuclide has a half life of 5.40 x 10\(^3\) s, Calculate its decay constant.
Explanation
(a)(i) In nuclear fission reaction results in splitting a heavy nucleus into two parts of nearly equal masses while in nuclear fusion process two light nuclei combine together to form a heavier nucleus.
(ii) Nuclear fission releases less energy per nuclear while nuclear fusion releases more energy per nuclear.
(iii) Nuclear fission can take place at room temperature while nuclear fusion takes place at very high temperature.
(ii) Peaceful uses of atomic energy are:
- Production of laser beams
- Production of x-rays
- Production of energy in discharge tubes.
(b)(i) The neutrons produced as a result of fission of a nucleus can cause further fission if they strike other nuclei. This rapid multiplication of a fission process by fissile neutrons is called chain reaction.
(ii) (i) Conditions necessary for chain reaction to occur are:
- The mass of fissile material must exceed the critical mass
- In addition to the two nuclei produced during the fission, one to three neutrons must be produced per parent nucleus.
(ii) Components in a nuclear reactor used to control chain reactions are;
- Boron steel
- Heavy water or denterium oxide
- Graphite or carbon rod.
(c)(i) The type of nuclear reaction is fusion.
T\(_{\frac{1}{2}} = \frac{0.693}{\lambda}\); \(\lambda = \frac{0.693}{T_{\frac{1}{2}}}\)
= \(\frac{0.693}{5.40 \times 10^{3}}\)
= 1.28 x 10\(^{-4}\)S\(^{-1}\)