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Aim: Why do fission and fusion reactions release so much energy?. Essential Questions : Compare and contrast nuclear fission with fusion. Distinguish between natural transmutation, artificial transmutation, and radioactive decay. Describe the characteristics of a chain reaction.
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Aim: Why do fission and fusion reactions release so much energy? Essential Questions: Compare and contrast nuclear fission with fusion. Distinguish between natural transmutation, artificial transmutation, and radioactive decay. Describe the characteristics of a chain reaction. Describe the particles and electromagnetic waves that make up radioactive emissions.
Aim: Why do fission and fusion reactions release so much energy? • Indian Point • Map of nuclear reactors in the U.S. • Fission image • Nuclear power plant diagram • Evans page worksheet fission and fusion
Aim: Why do fission and fusion reactions release so much energy? • Nuclear fission-refers to a nuclear reaction in which a very heavy nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, each having a higher binding energy per nucleon than original nucleus. • Chain reaction- when the particle (usually neutron) that starts a reaction is also produced in the reaction. • Critical mass-the smallest mass of radioactive material needed to sustain a reaction.
Aim: Why do fission and fusion reactions release so much energy? • Nuclear fusion-when two small nuclei combine, or fuse, to form a larger more stable nucleus. The new nucleus has a higher binding energy, and energy (a little or A LOT?) is released as it forms.
Aim: Why do fission and fusion reactions release so much energy? Do Now: 1. Complete “Band of Stability” lab and copy: Predicting nuclear stability: • Except for smallest nuclei (H and He), all stable nuclei contain a number of neutrons that is equal to or greater than the number of protons. • A nucleus with too many or too few neutrons is unstable. • Nuclei with even numbers of nucleons are more stable. Band of Stability 2. Take out homework; discussion of radioactivity-decay of unstable nuclei to produce alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma radiation.
Aim: Why do fission and fusion reactions release so much energy? • Essential Questions: • Why do certain elements undergo radioactive decay and others don’t? • How do the nuclei of atoms stay intact if protons are positive, and like charges repel? • Describe the various types of radioactive decay in terms of charge, mass and “penetrating power.”