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Nuclear Physics: Distribution of Nuclear particles such as protons, neutrons, Their interactions. Its structure, size, shape, Nuclear Stability radioactivity, radioactive decay nuclear reactions, fission and fusion
Fission
When atoms are bombarded with neutrons, their nuclei splits into 2 parts which are roughly equal in size. Nuclear fission in the process whereby a nucleus, with a high mass number, splits into 2 nuclei which have roughly equal smaller mass numbers.
235
A Z
U 92
238
A Z
U 92
235
A Z
U 92
235 92 92 143
238
A Z
U 92
238 92 92 146
Isotopes of any particular element contain the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.
Nuclear Fission
There are 2 types of fission that exist:
1. Spontaneous Fission 2. Induced Fission
Spontaneous Fission
Some radioisotopes contain nuclei which are highly unstable and decay spontaneously by splitting into 2 smaller nuclei.
Induced Fission
Nuclear fission can be induced by bombarding atoms with neutrons. The nuclei of the atoms then split into 2 equal parts. Induced fission decays are also accompanied by the release of neutrons.
1 0
235 92 U
1 0
235 92 U
1 0
235 92 U
1 0
235 92 U
236 92 U
1 0
92 36 Kr 1 0
1 0
92 36 Kr 1 0
1 0
92 36 Kr 1
U n + 92 0
U n + 92 0
1
141
Ba Kr n 3 + + 56 36 0
Cs Rb n 2 + + 55 37 0
96 1
92
235
138
The kinetic energy of the products of fission are far greater than that of the bombarding neutron and target atom.
EK before fission << EK after fission
Energy Released
The energy released can be calculated using the equation:
E = mc2
Where:
E = energy released (J) m = mass difference (kg)
m c2
235
U n + 92 0
m = 2.65 x 10-28 kg c = 3 x 108 ms-1
138
Cs Rb n 2 + + 55 37 0
E = mc2 E = 2.65 x 10-28 x (3 x 108)2 E = 2.385 x 10-11 J
96
E=E
Nuclear Fusion
In nuclear fusion, two nuclei with low mass numbers combine to produce a single nucleus with a higher mass number.
H H + 1 1
Energy He n + + 2 0
3 1H
3 1H
2 1H
3 1H
2 1H 3 1H
1 0 4 2 He
1 0 4 2 He
4 2 He
4 2 He
H H + 1 1
Energy He n + + 2 0
The total mass before fusion (LHS of the equation): 3.345 x 10-27 + 5.008 x 10-27 = 8.353 x 10-27 kg The total mass after fission (RHS of the equation): 6.647 x 10-27 + 1.675 x 10-27 = 8.322 x 10-27 kg
m = 3.1 x 10-29 kg
H H + 1 1
m = 3.1 x 10-29 kg c = 3 x 108 ms-1
E=E
Energy He n + + 2 0
E = mc2 E = 3.1 x 10-29 x (3 x 108)2 E = 2.79 x 10-12 J