Nuclear Reactions
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Transcript of Nuclear Reactions
Nuclear Reactions
Occur when the nucleus of an atom is changed
Nuclear Reactions release the most energy of any type of reactions.
http://education.jlab.org/qa/atom_model_03.gif
Nucleus
Fission
When a large nucleus is split into two or more smaller nuclei
Only certain elements’ nuclei will fission, or split
Uranium & plutonium are the most common fissionable elements
http://holvoet.free.fr/Voyage/energy/img/fission_v.gif
Fission Nuclear Chain Reaction
When one fission reaction sets off several other fission reactions, which each set off new fission reactions.
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/476/488316/Instructor_Resources/Chapter_17/FG17_10.JPG
What happens during a fission reaction?
http://www.oup.co.uk/images/oxed/children/yoes/atoms/fission.jpg
1. A large nucleus is hit with a neutron.
Nucleus: U or Pu
Neutron
What happens during a fission reaction?
http://www.oup.co.uk/images/oxed/children/yoes/atoms/fission.jpg
2. The neutron makes the nucleus of the atom split.
Nucleus: U or Pu
Neutron
What happens during a fission reaction?
http://www.oup.co.uk/images/oxed/children/yoes/atoms/fission.jpg
3. Large amounts of energy are released when it splits
Nucleus: U or Pu
Neutron
What happens during a fission reaction?
http://www.oup.co.uk/images/oxed/children/yoes/atoms/fission.jpg
4. A few neutrons are sent flying from the split nucleus.
•These neutrons start new fission reactions
Nucleus: U or Pu
Neutron
Neutrons
Gamma Ray
Fission
Critical massThe smallest amount of uranium or plutonium
that is needed to start a chain reaction.
The critical mass for Uranium is around 33 pounds.
Fusion
When two small nuclei join together to form a larger nucleus
Fusion releases much more energy than fission
What Happens in a Fusion Reaction?
1.Two hydrogen nuclei smash together at very high speeds
Hydrogen-2
(Dueterium)
Hydrogen-3
(Tritium)
2.The hydrogen nuclei stick together (or fuse) to make a larger nucleus
3.Huge amounts of energy are released
Helium
neutron
http://www.generalfusion.com/images/reaction2.gif