P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission P2 Physics P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission P2 Physics Mr D Powell

Mr Powell 2012 Index P2.6.1 Nuclear fission a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium- 235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium- 235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron.

Mr Powell 2012 Index HAAP Media Ltd, Gwyn Ellsworth HAAP Media Ltd, Tracy Olson HAAP Media Ltd, Pantelis Kampas HAAP Media Ltd, Steve Woods HAAP Media Ltd, Fernando Audibert HAAP Media Ltd, How are they related?

Mr Powell 2012 Index UK Nuclear Power Stations

Mr Powell 2012 Index Nuclear fission Here a nucleus of uranium-235 has absorbed a neutron and has split into two nuclei and three neutrons. Nuclear energy is being released – this is a million times more powerful than an ordinary chemical reaction. Why do you think the process of nuclear fission cannot be filmed?

Mr Powell 2012 Index Fission (alternative) Nuclear power reactors use a reaction called nuclear fission. Two isotopes in common use as nuclear fuels are uranium-235 and plutonium-239. Fission is another word for splitting. The process of splitting a nucleus is called nuclear fission. Uranium or plutonium isotopes are normally used as the fuel in nuclear reactors, because their atoms have relatively large nuclei that are easy to split, especially when hit by neutrons. When a uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus is hit by a neutron, the following happens:  the nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, which are radioactive  two or three more neutrons are released  some energy is released The additional neutrons released may also hit other uranium or plutonium nuclei and cause them to split. Even more neutrons are then released, which in turn can split more nuclei. This is called a chain reaction. The chain reaction in nuclear reactors is controlled to stop it going too fast.

Mr Powell 2012 Index Reactor compartment

Mr Powell 2012 Index Submarine Nuclear Power Plant

Mr Powell 2012 Index Nuclear Reactors They provide the source of radioactive atoms which easily split when a neutron hits them They dip into the core of the reactor and absorb neutrons so prevent them splitting more atoms. This is like a radiator in a car and loses thermal energy to the surroundings to cool the reactor and heat water to create steam The steam pressure turns the turbine which is connected to a magnet in a coil of wire which then turns to create AC electricity.

Mr Powell 2012 Index Summary Questions Fission This is when an atom splits into two new atoms, energy and 3n; due to an incoming neutron. The reaction expands as every generation releases 3 neutrons from one incoming neutron. This is an exponential growth... 1,3,9,27 etc.. Until massive amounts of energy are released. The reaction can be slowed by using “control rods” made of graphite. This material absorbs the energetic neutrons thus stopping the reaction. We dip the rods into the reactor core to control the chain reaction. When they are removed the reaction speeds up again. Parts of the reactor become highly radioactive so have to be handed in special ways without human contact directly to the materials

P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. P2.6.1 Nuclear Fission (splitting) a)There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. b)Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. c)c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron.

Mr Powell 2012 Index Connection Connect your learning to the content of the lesson Share the process by which the learning will actually take place Explore the outcomes of the learning, emphasising why this will be beneficial for the learner Connection Connect your learning to the content of the lesson Share the process by which the learning will actually take place Explore the outcomes of the learning, emphasising why this will be beneficial for the learner Demonstration Use formative feedback – Assessment for Learning Vary the groupings within the classroom for the purpose of learning – individual; pair; group/team; friendship; teacher selected; single sex; mixed sex Offer different ways for the students to demonstrate their understanding Allow the students to “show off” their learning Demonstration Use formative feedback – Assessment for Learning Vary the groupings within the classroom for the purpose of learning – individual; pair; group/team; friendship; teacher selected; single sex; mixed sex Offer different ways for the students to demonstrate their understanding Allow the students to “show off” their learning Activation Construct problem-solving challenges for the students Use a multi-sensory approach – VAK Promote a language of learning to enable the students to talk about their progress or obstacles to it Learning as an active process, so the students aren’t passive receptors Activation Construct problem-solving challenges for the students Use a multi-sensory approach – VAK Promote a language of learning to enable the students to talk about their progress or obstacles to it Learning as an active process, so the students aren’t passive receptors Consolidation Structure active reflection on the lesson content and the process of learning Seek transfer between “subjects” Review the learning from this lesson and preview the learning for the next Promote ways in which the students will remember A “news broadcast” approach to learning Consolidation Structure active reflection on the lesson content and the process of learning Seek transfer between “subjects” Review the learning from this lesson and preview the learning for the next Promote ways in which the students will remember A “news broadcast” approach to learning