Nuclear fission and fusionIB MYP Physics: Flashcards
What these 14 flashcards ask
- What is nuclear fission?
- What starts the fission of uranium-235?
- How many neutrons are released in each fission of uranium-235?
- What is a chain reaction?
- What does the moderator do?
- What do control rods do?
- How does a fission power station make electricity?
- Why is nuclear waste a problem?
- What is nuclear fusion?
- Where does fusion happen naturally?
- What conditions are needed for fusion?
- Why does fusion need a very high temperature?
- Give one challenge of fusion power.
- Give one advantage of fusion over fission.
Exam questions on Nuclear fission and fusion
- A power station in France uses uranium-235 as fuel. In the reactor, a slow-moving neutron is absorbed by a uranium-235 nucleus. The nucleus then splits into two smaller nuclei and releases two or three more neutrons and a large amount of energy.Explain how the release of two or three neutrons in each fission can lead to a chain reaction.2 marks
- In southern France, scientists are building an experimental reactor that will fuse isotopes of hydrogen to make helium. The Sun already releases its energy in a similar way.State two conditions needed in the core of a star for fusion to occur.2 marks
- A country is considering building a nuclear fission power station that uses uranium-235 as its fuel. Engineers are explaining to the public how it would work and what would happen to the waste.Outline how a nuclear fission power station produces electricity.3 marks
Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).