http://www.ck12.org Chapter 24. Nuclear Chemistry
Lesson Review Questions
Reviewing Concepts
- Explain the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
- What is a nuclear chain reaction, and how is it related to the concept of a critical mass?
- What is the function of the conventional explosive in an atomic bomb?
- Describe the purposes of control rods and moderators in a nuclear power plant.
- Why is fusion not used to generate electrical power?
- Why are x-rays and the radiation emitted by radioisotopes called ionizing radiation?
- Describe two applications of radioisotopes in medicine.
- Explain why irradiation of food helps it to last longer.
Problems
- Explain why fusion reactions release more energy than fission reactions. (Hint: Use the nuclear binding energy
per nucleon graph from the lesson “Nuclear Radiation.”) - Fill in the unknown nuclides for the fission and fusion reactions shown below.
a.^23592 U+^10 n→^14455 Cs+ + 210 n
b.^21 H+^31 H→+ +^10 n
Further Reading / Supplemental Links
- Nuclear Fission, http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Nuclear/fission.htm
- Nuclear Fusion, http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Nuclear/fusion.htm
- Nuclear Power Plants, http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Nuclear/NuclearPP.htm
- Uses of Radioisotopes, http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Nuclear/radioisotopes.htm
Points to Consider
Fission and fusion are promising as energy sources, but they are not without difficulties and controversy.
- Do the advantages of nuclear power justify the risk of accidents and the problems associated with the disposal
of nuclear waste? - What methods are being investigated as a way to use controlled nuclear fusion as an energy source?