nuclear fission+fusion

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  • Created by: rxbyw
  • Created on: 27-01-19 10:39
one similarity between nuclear fission and fusion
both release energy
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one difference between nuclear fission and fusion
fusion is the joining of 2 nuclei and fission is the splitting of an atom
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how does the absorption of a neutron lead to a chain reaction
absorbing a neutron makes the nucleus unstable. unstable nucleus undergoes fission. fission is the splitting of an unstable nucleus into 2 lighter elements and releasing 2/3 neutrons. the neutrons can be absorbed by other nuclei causing more fission.
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what would happen if a chain reaction was uncontrolled?
each fission decay releases energy so an uncontrolled chain reaction would release lots of energy which could lead to reactor meltdown or an explosion.
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what must usually happen before a nucleus will undergo nuclear fission?
it must absorb a slow moving neutron
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

one difference between nuclear fission and fusion

Back

fusion is the joining of 2 nuclei and fission is the splitting of an atom

Card 3

Front

how does the absorption of a neutron lead to a chain reaction

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

what would happen if a chain reaction was uncontrolled?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

what must usually happen before a nucleus will undergo nuclear fission?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5

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