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25.3. Fission and Fusion of Atomic Nuclei.
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25.3 Fission and Fusion of Atomic Nuclei • The sun is not actually burning. If the energy given off by the sun were the product of a combustion reaction, the sun would have burned out approximately 2000 years after it was formed, long before today. You will learn how energy is produced in the sun.
25.3 Nuclear Fission • Nuclear Fission • splitting of a nucleus into smaller fragments
25.3 Nuclear Fission • When the nuclei of certain isotopes are bombarded with neutrons, they undergo fission,
25.3 Nuclear Fission • Chain Reactions • some of the neutrons produced react with other fissionable atoms, producing more neutrons which react with still more fissionable atoms.
25.3 Nuclear Fission • Nuclear Fission
25.3 Nuclear Fission A Nuclear Power Plant
25.3 Nuclear Fission • Neutron Moderation • -is a process that slows down neutrons so the reactor fuel (uranium-235 or plutonium-239) captures them to continue the chain reaction.
25.3 Nuclear Fission • Neutron Absorption • - is a process that decreases the number of slow-moving neutrons. Control rods, made of a material such a cadmium, are used to absorb neutrons.
25.3 Nuclear Waste • Nuclear Waste • spent fuel rods from a nuclear reaction stored in water
25.3 Nuclear Waste • -Water cools the spent rods • -also acts as a radiation shield to reduce the radiation levels.
25.3 Nuclear Fusion • Nuclear Fusion • How do fission reactions and fusion reactions differ?
25.3 Nuclear Fusion • Fusion- nuclei combine to produce a nucleus of greater mass. • In solar fusion, hydrogen nuclei (protons) fuse to make helium nuclei and two positrons.
25.3 Nuclear Fusion • Fusion reactions, release much more energy than fission reactions
25.3 Nuclear Fusion • The use of controlled fusion as an energy source on Earth is appealing. • The potential fuels are inexpensive and readily available. • The problems with fusion lie in achieving the high temperatures necessary to start the reaction and in containing the reaction once it has started.
25.3 Section Quiz. • 1. One of the control mechanisms for a sustainable nuclear chain reactor involves slowing down the released neutrons so they may be captured by other nuclei. This is done using
25.3 Section Quiz. • 2. Spent fuel rods are stored in
25.3 Section Quiz. • 3. Choose the correct words for the spaces. In solar fusion, _______ nuclei fuse to form _______ nuclei.