Question

name ________________ period ___

1. define nuclear fusion
2. define nuclear fission
3. the atomic number for li = _____ 4) the mass number for li = ___ 5) the mass number for u = _____
4. the atomic number for c = _____ 7) the mass number for c = ___ 8) the mass number for mo = _____

(circle fusion or fission) note – some reactions listed are fictitious

1. figure 1: the nuclear reaction between li⁷ and n¹⁴ : fusion | fission
2. figure 1: the nuclear reaction between pt¹⁹⁵ and ta¹⁸¹ : fusion | fission
3. figure 1: the nuclear reaction between u²³⁵ and kr⁹² : fusion | fission
4. figure 1: the nuclear reaction between na²³ and si²⁸ : fusion | fission
5. figure 1: the nuclear reaction between c¹⁴ and ne²⁰ : fusion | fission
6. figure 2: during a chain reaction what strikes a nucleus? _______
7. figure 2: after the first strike the original nucleus splits into ___ pieces and releases _____ which then strike other _______.
8. figure 2 illustrates nuclear: (circle one) fusion | fission.
9. figure 2: explain why this illustrates a chain reaction.
10. figure 3: binding energy of mg

circle one: 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

1. figure 3: binding energy of u

circle one: 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

1. figure 3: binding energy of ca

circle one: 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

1. figure 3: binding energy of te

circle one: 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
figure 1 – fusion vs fission
graph showing nucleon binding energy with fusion and fission arrows
figure 2 – nuclear chain reaction
diagram of nuclear chain reaction with splitting nuclei and particles
figure 3 – binding energy vs mass number
graph of binding energy per nucleon (mev) vs mass number, with iron-56 marked

Explanation:

1. Nuclear Fusion Definition: Core definition of light nuclei merging.
2. Nuclear Fission Definition: Core definition of heavy nucleus splitting.
3. Li Atomic Number: From periodic table, Li (lithium) has atomic number 3.
4. Li Mass Number: Most common isotope $^7$Li has mass number 7.
5. U Mass Number: Most common isotope $^{238}$U has mass number 238.
6. C Atomic Number: From periodic table, C (carbon) has atomic number 6.
7. C Mass Number: Most common isotope $^{12}$C has mass number 12.
8. Mo Mass Number: Most common isotope $^{98}$Mo has mass number 98.
9. Li-N Reaction: Light nuclei combining = fusion.
10. Pt-Ta Reaction: Heavy nuclei splitting = fission.
11. U-Kr Reaction: Heavy nucleus splitting = fission.
12. Na-Si Reaction: Light nuclei combining = fusion.
13. C-Ne Reaction: Light nuclei combining = fusion.
14. Chain Reaction Trigger: Neutrons initiate fission in chain reactions.
15. Fission Products: Fission splits nuclei into 2 fragments, releasing neutrons to strike other nuclei.
16. Figure 2 Reaction: Chain reaction of splitting nuclei = fission.
17. Chain Reaction Reason: Neutrons from each fission trigger new fissions, sustaining the cycle.
18. Mg Binding Energy: Mg (mass number ~24) falls near 8 MeV/nucleon on the graph.
19. U Binding Energy: U (mass number ~238) falls near 7 MeV/nucleon on the graph.
20. Ca Binding Energy: Ca (mass number ~40) falls near 8 MeV/nucleon on the graph.
21. Te Binding Energy: Te (mass number ~128) falls near 8 MeV/nucleon on the graph.

Answer:

1. Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing large energy.
2. Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy atomic nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing large energy.
3. 3
4. 7
5. 238 (most abundant isotope)
6. 6
7. 12 (most abundant isotope)
8. 98 (most abundant isotope)
9. FUSION
10. FISSION
11. FISSION
12. FUSION
13. FUSION
14. A neutron
15. two; neutrons; nuclei
16. FISSION
17. The reaction produces neutrons that trigger additional identical nuclear reactions, creating a self-sustaining cycle.
18. 8
19. 7
20. 8
21. 8