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Compare spontaneous and induced fission.
Spontaneous fission: Occurs without external trigger, driven by nuclear instability. | Induced fission: Requires an input of energy (usually a neutron) to start the reaction.
What are the key differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Fission: Splitting of a heavy nucleus, releases energy, used in nuclear reactors. | Fusion: Combining of light nuclei, releases more energy than fission, occurs in stars, requires extreme conditions.
Label the diagram of nuclear fission (Figure 1).
1: Neutron, 2: Uranium-235 Nucleus, 3: Barium Nucleus, 4: Krypton Nucleus, 5: Released Neutrons, 6: Energy
What does the Radioactive Decay Graph (Figure 2) illustrate?
The exponential decay of a radioactive substance over time, showing the concept of half-life.
What is nuclear fission?
The splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei, releasing energy.
What is nuclear fusion?
The combination of light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.
Define radioactive decay.
Spontaneous transformation of unstable nuclei into more stable configurations.
What is half-life?
The time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
What is the decay constant?
The probability of a single nucleus decaying per unit time, denoted by ฮป.
What is the strong force?
The fundamental force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, overcoming electromagnetic repulsion.