DP IB Physics: SL
E. Nuclear and Quantum Physics
E.4 Fission
DP IB Physics: SLE. Nuclear and Quantum PhysicsE.4 Fission
Guiding questions: | |
|---|---|
| a) | In which form is energy stored within the nucleus of the atom? |
| b) | How can the energy released from the nucleus be harnessed? |
a) In which form is energy stored within the nucleus of the atom?
- Solution:
- Nuclear energy is the type of energy contained in an atom’s nucleus. The binding energy, which keeps the protons and neutrons in the nucleus together, is another name for this energy.
- Figure 1 The structure of the atom
- ⇒ Nuclear Binding energy:
- The energy needed for a nucleus to break up into its separate protons and neutrons.
- Because of the strong nuclear force that keeps protons and neutrons together, this energy is retained.
- It stands for the mass defect, which is the discrepancy between the nucleus’s mass and the total mass of its constituent nucleons.
- [math]E = ∆mc^2[/math]
- ⇒ Source of the energy:
- The combined mass of the protons and neutrons is more than the mass of a bound nucleus. According to
- Einstein’s equation, this missing mass has been transformed into binding energy and is now stored inside the nucleus:
- The stability of the nucleus increases with the binding energy per nucleon.
- Energy is released via nuclear processes such as fission and fusion, which alter the binding energy:
- – With a larger binding energy per nucleon, a heavy nucleus divides into lighter ones during fission.
- – Light nuclei fuse together to create a heavier nucleus with more closely packed nucleons.
b) How can the energy released from the nucleus be harnessed?
- Solution:
- Nuclear fission and, maybe in the future, nuclear fusion are the two main ways to capture nuclear energy, which is emitted from atoms’ nuclei.
- Nowadays, nuclear power plants employ a process called nuclear fission to produce energy.
- ⇒ Nuclear Fission:
- A heavy atom, such as uranium, can undergo fission when its nucleus splits into smaller nuclei.
An enormous quantity of energy is released during this process, mostly as heat. - Electricity is produced by using the heat to create steam, which powers turbines that are connected to generators.
- Uncontrolled chain reactions are avoided by controlling the fission process with control rods.
- Figure 2 Nuclear Energy
- ⇒ Nuclear Fusion:
- Fusion is the process of creating a heavier nucleus by joining light nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes.
- Although it necessitates extraordinarily high temperatures and pressures, this process also releases a significant quantity of energy.
- Fusion has the potential to be a very efficient and clean energy source, but it is still in the research and development stage.
- Figure 3 Nuclear Fusion
- Steam is produced in nuclear power plants by boiling water with the heat produced by fission.
- After that, the steam drives turbines, which are linked to electricity-generating generators.
- The produced electricity may be sent to residences and commercial buildings, offering a dependable and environmentally friendly power source.
- Nuclear power stations are subject to strict regulations and are built to function safely.