nuclear reactions
DESCRIPTION
Nuclear Reactions. Powering the Sun since 4.6 Billion B.C. Nucleus. Nuclear Reactions. Occur when the nucleus of an atom is changed Nuclear Reactions release the most energy of any type of reactions. http://education.jlab.org/qa/atom_model_03.gif. Fission. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Nuclear Reactions
Occur when the nucleus of an atom is changed
Nuclear Reactions release the most energy of any type of reactions.
http://education.jlab.org/qa/atom_model_03.gif
Nucleus
Fission
When a large nucleus is split into two or more smaller nuclei
Only certain elements’ nuclei will fission, or split
Uranium & plutonium are the most common fissionable elements
http://holvoet.free.fr/Voyage/energy/img/fission_v.gif
Fission Nuclear Chain Reaction
When one fission reaction sets off several other fission reactions, which each set off new fission reactions.
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/476/488316/Instructor_Resources/Chapter_17/FG17_10.JPG
What happens during a fission reaction?
http://www.oup.co.uk/images/oxed/children/yoes/atoms/fission.jpg
1. A large nucleus is hit with a neutron.
Nucleus: U or Pu
Neutron
What happens during a fission reaction?
http://www.oup.co.uk/images/oxed/children/yoes/atoms/fission.jpg
2. The neutron makes the nucleus of the atom split.
Nucleus: U or Pu
Neutron
What happens during a fission reaction?
http://www.oup.co.uk/images/oxed/children/yoes/atoms/fission.jpg
3. Large amounts of energy are released when it splits
Nucleus: U or Pu
Neutron
What happens during a fission reaction?
http://www.oup.co.uk/images/oxed/children/yoes/atoms/fission.jpg
4. A few neutrons are sent flying from the split nucleus.
•These neutrons start new fission reactions
Nucleus: U or Pu
Neutron
Neutrons
Gamma Ray
Fission
Critical massThe smallest amount of uranium or plutonium
that is needed to start a chain reaction.
The critical mass for Uranium is around 33 pounds.
Fusion
When two small nuclei join together to form a larger nucleus
Fusion releases much more energy than fission
What Happens in a Fusion Reaction?
1.Two hydrogen nuclei smash together at very high speeds
Hydrogen-2
(Dueterium)
Hydrogen-3
(Tritium)
2.The hydrogen nuclei stick together (or fuse) to make a larger nucleus
3.Huge amounts of energy are released
Helium
neutron
http://www.generalfusion.com/images/reaction2.gif