1. Nuclear Fission

  1. Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy.
  2. Occurs when heavy elements like Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239 are bombarded with neutrons.
  3. Releases neutrons, which can trigger a chain reaction.
  4. Energy released is due to the mass defect and described by Einstein’s equation, E=mc².
  5. Used in nuclear reactors to produce electricity and in nuclear weapons.
  6. Controlled chain reactions occur in nuclear reactors, while uncontrolled reactions occur in atomic bombs.
  7. Produces radioactive waste, which requires safe disposal.
  8. Key example: Splitting of Uranium-235 results in nuclei like Barium and Krypton, releasing about 200 MeV of energy per fission.

2. Nuclear Fusion

  1. Nuclear fusion is the process where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a massive amount of energy.
  2. Occurs at extremely high temperatures and pressures, as in the core of stars.
  3. Fusion of Hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium and Tritium) produces Helium and energy.
  4. Fusion reactions power the Sun and other stars.
  5. Produces no radioactive waste, making it a cleaner energy source compared to fission.
  6. Extremely high energy input is required to overcome the Coulomb barrier (repulsion between positively charged nuclei).
  7. Fusion weapons (e.g., Hydrogen bomb) utilize fusion, initiated by a fission reaction.
  8. Key reaction: Deuterium + Tritium → Helium + neutron + energy (17.6 MeV).
  9. Efforts like ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) aim to develop practical fusion energy.

3. Energy from Nuclear Reactions

  1. Nuclear reactions release energy due to the conversion of a small amount of mass into energy, as per E=mc².
  2. Fission and fusion reactions produce energy millions of times greater than chemical reactions.
  3. Energy from fission is used in nuclear power plants for electricity generation.
  4. Fusion energy has the potential to provide virtually unlimited clean energy.
  5. The binding energy per nucleon is a critical factor in determining the energy release.
  6. For fission, energy comes from splitting nuclei with lower binding energy.
  7. For fusion, energy comes from fusing nuclei to form a nucleus with higher binding energy.

4. Key Characteristics

  1. Nuclear reactions are independent of chemical conditions or external factors like temperature and pressure.
  2. Both fission and fusion release energy due to the mass defect (difference between reactant and product masses).
  3. Nuclear energy is a key contributor to the global energy mix, accounting for around 10% of the world’s electricity.
  4. Fusion has not yet been harnessed for commercial power production due to technological challenges.

Category

Questions

  1. What is nuclear fission?
  2. Which isotope is commonly used as fuel in nuclear fission reactors?
  3. What is the primary product of nuclear fusion?
  4. In nuclear fission, what is released along with smaller nuclei?
  5. What is the primary advantage of nuclear fusion over fission?
  6. What is the energy source of the Sun?
  7. Which isotope of hydrogen is used in nuclear fusion reactions?
  8. What is the main challenge in achieving nuclear fusion on Earth?
  9. Which process powers hydrogen bombs?
  10. What is the name of the reaction in which two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus?
  11. What is the term for the minimum mass required to sustain a nuclear chain reaction?
  12. What is a chain reaction in nuclear fission?
  13. Which element is commonly used in thermonuclear weapons?
  14. What is the unit of energy released in nuclear reactions?
  15. Which isotope is used in nuclear fusion research?
  16. What is the binding energy of a nucleus?
  17. What role do neutrons play in nuclear fission?
  18. What is the process by which energy is released in stars?
  19. In a nuclear reactor, what is used to slow down neutrons?
  20. What is the primary purpose of control rods in a nuclear reactor?
  21. Which material is commonly used as a moderator in nuclear reactors?
  22. Which of the following is a fusion reaction?
  23. What is the energy released when 1 amu of mass is converted to energy?
  24. What is the primary fuel used in nuclear power plants?
  25. What does Einstein’s equation E=mc2 describe in nuclear reactions?
  26. Which reaction releases more energy per unit mass: fission or fusion?
  27. What is the process of bombarding a nucleus with neutrons to cause fission?
  28. What is the most stable nucleus in terms of binding energy per nucleon?
  29. Why is heavy water used in some nuclear reactors?
  30. What is the primary by-product of nuclear fusion in stars?
  31. What is the purpose of a breeder reactor?
  32. Which isotope is used in fusion experiments to simulate conditions inside stars?
  33. What does the term “thermonuclear” refer to?