All Flashcards
Compare spontaneous and induced fission.
Spontaneous fission: Occurs without external triggers | Induced fission: Requires an input of energy, usually a neutron.
Compare nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
Fission: Splitting of a heavy nucleus | Fusion: Combining of light nuclei.
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 λ.
What is the strong force?
The fundamental force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, overcoming electromagnetic repulsion.
What is the effect of the strong nuclear force?
The strong nuclear force binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, overcoming the electromagnetic repulsion between protons and ensuring the stability of the nucleus.
What is the effect of mass defect in nuclear reactions?
The mass defect, the difference in mass between reactants and products, results in the release of energy according to in nuclear reactions like fission and fusion.
What happens when a nucleus has a short half-life?
A short half-life means the nucleus decays quickly, indicating high instability and a high decay rate.
What is the effect of absorbing a neutron by U-235?
The absorption of a neutron by Uranium-235 makes the nucleus highly unstable, leading to induced fission and the release of energy and more neutrons.