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Nuclear Energy

Learn about nuclear radiation, decay types (alpha, beta, gamma), decay rates, nuclear forces, reactions (fission, fusion), power generation, and the potential of fusion reactors. Explore nuclear energy's role in electricity production and nuclear weapons.

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Nuclear Energy

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  1. Nuclear Energy April 4, 2013

  2. A.) Nuclear Radiatoin • the matter and energythat are released from the nucleus during radioactive decay

  3. B.) What does radioactive mean? • Radioactive materials have unstable nuclei, which go through changes by emitting particles or releasing energy to become stable • Call this nuclear decay

  4. C. Types of Radiation 1. Alpha Particle: a positively charged atom that consists of two protons and two neutrons • Do not travel far through materials (cannot pass through a piece of paper) • Symbol: 42He

  5. How would emitting an alpha particle affect the properties of the atom? • The atomic number would… • Go down by 2!! • A new element!!! • The mass would… • decrease by 4!!

  6. 2. Beta Particle: a negatively charged electron emitted during radioactive decay • Fast-moving • Can penetrate sheet of paper, but stopped by piece of aluminum or 10mm of wood • Symbol: 0-1e

  7. HUH? An electron from a NUCLEUS??? • In the 1930’s we discovered that a neutron can decay to form a proton and electron.

  8. How would emitting beta particle affect the properties of the atom? • The atomic number would… • Increase by 1!! • New element!!! • The mass would… • NOT CHANGE

  9. What would happen to the identity of the atom? • It would change to be a new element because it has an extra proton!

  10. 3. Gamma Rays: high-energy radiation emitted during radioactive decay and nuclear fission • Gamma rays are a form of electromagneticenergy, not matter like the other three. • Not stopped by clothing or most building materials, so are much more dangerous (must use lead) • Symbol:

  11. Neutron Emission • Like Alpha and Beta radiation, these consist of matter emitted from an unstable nucleus. • This is how neutrons were first discovered • Able to travel very far • A block of lead 15 cm thick is required to stop them. • Symbol: 10n

  12. Nuclear Decay • Page 287- let’s take a look… • P 289- lets do the problems!

  13. III. Decay Rates • Half-life: time required for half of a sample of radioactive substance to decay • Use these decay rates to tell the age of rocks and fossils (radiometric dating) • Carbon-14 is a common isotope used in radiometric dating

  14. Half-life Lingo… • Original element = parent atoms • As the original element decays to a new one =daughter atoms

  15. C-14 applications today

  16. Math Skills p 291 • Now let’s practice…p 292 #1-5

  17. IV.) Nuclear Forces • A. The stability of a nucleus depends on the nuclear forces that hold it together. • B. These forces are between protons and neutrons (STRONG NUCLEAR FORCE) • C. Neutrons contribute to nuclear stability • a. Too many protons or neutrons can cause a nucleus to become unstable and decay.

  18. V.) Nuclear Reactions A) Nuclear Fission: the process by which a nucleus splits into two or more smaller atoms and releases neutrons and energy • In nuclear fission, tremendous amounts of energy can be produced from very small amounts of mass (Fig. 7 p.295)

  19. Converting Mass into Energy • Albert Einstein introduced the mass-energy equation: E = mc2 • According to the law of conservation of mass and energy, the total amount of mass and energy remains constant

  20. Mass defect?? • What did you learn in the reading guide? • Where does that small amount of mass go? • converted into energy

  21. 3. Nuclear Power a. In controlled chain reactions, heat from the reaction can be used to generate electrical energy b. Critical Mass: the minimum amount of a substance that can undergo a fission reaction and can also sustain a chain reaction.

  22. 4. Triggering a Chain Reaction • Chain reaction: a continuous series of nuclear fission reactions [Fig 8 p.296] • Nuclear fission follows a pattern of a chain reaction; The speed of a chain reaction can vary

  23. Nuclear Energy From Fission • Nuclear power plants generate about 20% of electricity in the U.S. • Controlled fission of uranium-235 in a fission reactor • Don’t emit air pollutants, but have other safety concerns • 1986: meltdown of reactor at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine

  24. 1 5 2 6 3 4 7 8

  25. 6. Nuclear Weapons a. Nuclear weapons are designed to have an uncontrolled chain reactions

  26. Nuclear Fusion:the process in which smaller nuclei fuse together at high temperatures and release energy • In nuclear fusion, tremendous amounts of energy can be produced from very small amounts of mass • Releases more energy than nuclear fission

  27. Requires extremely high temperatures—i.e. Sun reaches temp of 10,000,000oC • Fusion may someday provide clean and efficient source of electricity

  28. Two problems creating a fusion reactor: • Need very high temperatures to start reaction • Must contain plasma

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