P2 - Nuclear Fission and Fusion

When something is radioactive, it is a substance that gives out ionisng radiation, such as alpha or beta particles or gamma rays

Radioactive decay = when an unstable nucleus changes by emitting ionising radiation to become more stable.

Alpha and beta particles are emitted at high speeds - they have KE

Gamma rays have energy in the form of EM radiation.

Nuclear reactions are different to chemical reactions - the atoms do not change in a nuclear reaction, only their nuclei of the atom changes.

Nuclear Fission = the reaction when the unstable nucleus of a large atom (e.g uranium) splits into two smaller nuclei (daughter nuclei). Two or more nutrons are also released.

A lot of energy is released, most of it is in the form of KE since they are mvoing at high speeds - thermal energy is also released.

Nuclear Fusion = when the nuclei of light atoms (e.g hydrogen) combine to make the nucleus of a heavier atom

Nuclear power stations