6.4.2 Nuclear Energy

• What are the two primary processes through which nuclear energy is released?

  Nuclear fission and fusion
• What happens to a heavy atomic nucleus during nuclear fission?

  Splits into lighter nuclei
• What is critical mass in nuclear fission?

  Minimum mass for chain reaction
• What two conditions are necessary for nuclear fusion to occur?

  High temperature and pressure
• Nuclear fusion is the energy source of the Sun's core.


  True
• Neutrons released during fission can trigger a chain reaction.


  True
• Uncontrolled fission results in a rapid and explosive reaction.

  True
• Match the nuclear process with its description:

  Nuclear fission ↔️ Splitting of heavy nuclei

  Nuclear fusion ↔️ Combining of light nuclei
• Steps in the process of nuclear fission

  1️⃣ A neutron bombards the nucleus of a fissionable material.

  2️⃣ The nucleus absorbs the neutron, making it unstable.

  3️⃣ The unstable nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei.

  4️⃣ Energy and additional neutrons are released.

  5️⃣ These neutrons trigger further fission events.
• Fusion produces fewer radioactive byproducts compared to fission.

  True
• Match the type of fission with its characteristics:

  Controlled Fission ↔️ Nuclear reactors

  Uncontrolled Fission ↔️ Nuclear weapons
• A neutron bombards the nucleus of a fissionable material
• During nuclear fusion, mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's equation E = mc^2
• The minimum amount of fissionable material required to sustain a chain reaction is called critical mass
• Fusion is a potential clean and sustainable energy source
• Nuclear fusion requires extremely high temperatures and pressures.


  True
• The critical mass is the minimum amount of fissionable material needed to sustain a chain reaction
• Nuclear fusion releases more energy per mass than nuclear fission.

  True
• Nuclear fission occurs when a heavy nucleus, such as uranium-235, absorbs a neutron
• Steps in a nuclear chain reaction

  1️⃣ A neutron bombards a fissionable nucleus.

  2️⃣ The nucleus splits, releasing energy and more neutrons.

  3️⃣ These neutrons trigger further fission events.
• What type of atomic nuclei combine in nuclear fusion?

  Light nuclei
• What two nuclear reactions release energy in nuclear energy production?

  Fission and fusion
• What is released when two light atomic nuclei combine in nuclear fusion?

  Large amounts of energy
• Neutrons escape without causing more fission if the mass is less than the critical mass.

  True
• Steps in the comparison of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission

  1️⃣ Definition

  2️⃣ Reactants

  3️⃣ Products

  4️⃣ Energy Release

  5️⃣ Safety

  6️⃣ Applications
• Match the type of nuclear reaction with its characteristics:

  Nuclear Fusion ↔️ Combines light nuclei

  Nuclear Fission ↔️ Splits heavy nuclei
• During fusion, mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's equation \( E = mc^2 \)


  True
• Nuclear fusion releases energy because it combines light atomic nuclei
• What is the goal of the ITER project in nuclear fusion research?

  Achieve controlled fusion reactors
• What is one of the primary challenges in maintaining stable fusion conditions?

  Technical difficulty
• Einstein's equation \( E = mc^2 \) explains the conversion of mass into energy during nuclear fusion.

  True
• The key difference between fission and fusion is that fission involves splitting heavy nuclei, while fusion combines light nuclei
• Hydrogen isotopes are used as reactants in nuclear fusion.

  True
• Critical mass is the minimum amount of fissionable material needed to sustain a chain reaction.


  True
• Steps in a nuclear chain reaction

  1️⃣ A neutron bombards a fissionable nucleus

  2️⃣ The nucleus splits, releasing energy and more neutrons

  3️⃣ These neutrons trigger further fission events
• Different fissionable materials have varying critical masses.


  True
• Match the state of critical mass with its reaction rate:

  Subcritical ↔️ Decreases

  Critical ↔️ Constant

  Supercritical ↔️ Increases rapidly
• Nuclear power plants generate electricity through controlled nuclear fission
• One disadvantage of nuclear power plants is the challenge of radioactive waste
• Nuclear power plants have cooling systems to prevent meltdowns.


  True