Fundamental Forces of the Universe

There are four fundamental forces, or interactions in nature.  Strong nuclear  Electromagnetic  Weak nuclear  Gravitational Strongest Weakest

Strong nuclear force  Holds the nuclei of atoms together  Very strong, but only over very, very, very short distances (within the nucleus of the atom)

Electromagnetic force  Causes electric and magnetic effects  Like charges repel each other  Opposite charges attract each other  Interactions between magnets  Weaker than the strong nuclear force  Acts over a much longer distance range than the strong nuclear force

Weak nuclear force  Responsible for nuclear decay  Weak and has a very short distance range

Gravitational force  Weakest of all fundamental forces, but acts over very long distances  Always attractive  Acts between any two pieces of matter in the universe  Very important in explaining the structure of the universe

Remember…  The weak nuclear force is NOT the weakest of the fundamental forces.  GRAVITY is the weakest force, but most important in understanding how objects in the universe interact.

Nuclear Reactions  There are two kinds of nuclear reactions:  Fusion  Fission  Protons and neutrons are the two most important subatomic particles in the nucleus and participate in these reactions.

Fusion  Fusion is the process of combining nuclei of atoms to make different atoms.  This reaction is going from SMALL to LARGE particles.  Think of fusing two things together.

Fusion  Nuclear fusion happens at the sun.  One isotope of hydrogen-3 and one isotope of hydrogen-2 combine to form a helium atom, a neutron and lots of energy!!! hydrogen-3 Hydrogen 2 atom helium atom neutron

Fusion  Where does the energy come from?  Energy is gained when the two hydrogen atoms break apart.  Some of this energy is used up to create the helium atom, but the rest is given off as light.  Mass is converted to energy!  E = mc 2 (c = 3.0 X 10 8 m/s)  Speed of light  Since the speed of light is so large even a small mass will be converted to a very large energy.

About Nuclear Fusion  Nuclear Fusion is the energy source of the future.  It is what provides the sun and stars large amounts of energy for billions of years.  We have been able to use fusion on earth to make nuclear bombs but have not been able to make it a sustainable energy source.  If we were able to make fusion a sustainable energy source one teaspoon of fusion fuel (heavy hydrogen) could produce more than 20 tons of coal.  One ton is 2,000 lbs and roughly 250 gallons of oil so 20 tons would be approximately 5,000 gallons of oil! That would fill up my tank 333 times!

Fission  Fission is the process of breaking up the nucleus of an atom.  This reaction is going from LARGE to SMALL particles.  Think of breaking two things apart.

Fission  Nuclear fission begins when a neutron hits the nucleus of large atom.  Adding this neutron makes the nucleus unstable and it splits into two smaller nuclei and two neutrons.

Fission

About Nuclear Fission  Nuclear Fission happens on earth at Nuclear Power Plants.  This type of energy also made the atomic bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II.  Fission occurs with a radioactive, unstable material such as Uranium or Plutonium whose atoms nucleus is ready to fall apart at the slightest nudge and releases large amounts of energy and extra neutrons.

Fission Examples

More about Fission  The energy released is called “radiation.” The radioactive energy released from Plutonium can damage human cells. This can happen slowly naturally (with both Uranium and Plutonium)- but when it is combined with TNT (Trinitrotoluene) the Plutonium reaction compresses and becomes very dense. chain reaction  The extra neutrons that are released bump into more Plutonium and a chain reaction occurs. The extra energy is released all at once causing disastrous consequences.

Video About Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Chain Reactions  If there are other 235 U atoms nearby, the neutrons that came from splitting the first 235 U nucleus can hit other atoms.  The nuclei of these other atoms will release more neutrons and split more 235 U atoms.  This is called a chain reaction.

Chain Reactions

How Nuclear Power Plants Use Fission  Nuclear Power Plants use Uranium because it naturally undergoes fission slowly making it easier to induce fission at power plants.  Pros- One pound of Uranium produces energy equal to about a million gallons of gasoline.  It allows us to become less dependent on fossil fuels and Nuclear Energy is sustainable.  Cons- Radioactive waste and transporting the fuel can be dangerous.  If not operated properly, disasters like Chernobyl Power Plant (1986) accident could occur. This accident released 50 tons of radioactive waste, contaminated millions of acres of land, and at least a 1,000 people died from health conditions from exposure to the radioactive material.

Chernobyl Disaster

Radioactivity  Radioactivity is the process where the nucleus emits particles or energy. It is the release of energy.  There are three types of radioactive decay:  Alpha decay  Beta decay  Gamma decay

Alpha decay  The reason alpha decay occurs is because the nucleus has too many protons which cause excessive repulsion. In an attempt to reduce the repulsion, a Helium nucleus is emitted so that the nucleus of an atom can feel stable.  A particle with 2 protons and 2 neutrons (Helium atom) is released from an unstable nucleus.  Alpha decay can be stopped by clothing, skin, a few centimeters of air, or cardboard.

Alpha Decay Example

Beta decay  Beta decay occurs when the neutron to proton ratio is too great in the nucleus and causes instability.  This occurs when a neutron of an instable nucleus of a radioactive isotope splits into a proton and an electron.  The electron is emitted.  Beta decay can be stopped by dense clothing or wood.

Beta Decay Example Blue=Neutron Red=Proton

Gamma decay  Gamma decay occurs because the nucleus is at too high an energy. The nucleus falls down to a lower energy state and, in the process, emits a high energy photon known as a gamma particle.  This involves the release of high-energy, electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus of the atom.  Gamma rays have even more energy than X-rays.  It can only be stopped with thick walls of concrete or lead.

Gamma Decay Example

Radioactive Decay Alpha Decay Beta Decay Gamma Decay # of Protons # of Neutrons What is released?

Radioactive Decay Alpha Decay Beta Decay Gamma Decay # of Protons Decreases by 2 Increases by 1 unchanged # of Neutrons Decreases by 2 Decreases by 1 unchanged What is released? An alpha particle An electron and energy A gamma ray (high energy)

Half-Life Time (years) Fraction of element left Amount left (g) Half-life / / /8103

Half-Life  The half-life of a radioactive element is the TIME it takes for HALF of the radioactive atoms to decay to stable ones.  If there are 80 grams of a radioactive element that has a half-life of 1000 years, then after 1000 years half of the element, or 40 grams of the element, will remain.  Now that there are only 40 grams left, how many grams will be left after another 1000 years has passed?  There will be only 20 grams remaining.

Half-Life  The number of half-lives that occur for an element is found by dividing the total time by the half-life of a radioactive element.  Total Time ÷ Half Life = # of half-lives  An element has a half-life of 1000 years. How many half-lives have occurred after 2000 years has passed?  Two half-lives because 2000 years ÷ 1000 years = 2

Half-Life  To find the fraction of the original amount think of the original amount as 1 and then divide by 2.  1 ÷ 2 = 1/2, one-half is how much remains after one half-life occurs.  If two half-lives occur then divide the original amount by 2 twice.  1 ÷ (2 × 2) = 1 ÷ 4 = 1/4, one-fourth is how much remains after two half-lives occur.  What do you do if three half-lives occur?  1 ÷ (2 × 2 × 2) = 1 ÷ 8 = 1/8, one-eighth is how much remains after three half-lives occur.

Half-Life Practice Problem #1  The radioactive isotope Fluorine-11 has a half-life of 11.0 s. How many half-lives occur in 11.0 s for Fluorine-11?  Only one half-life occurs because the half-life of Fluorine-11 is 11.0 s.  If you started with 30 g, how many grams are left after 11.0 s?  Since one half life occurs, 30 g is divided by 2 and there are 15 g left.  What fraction of the original amount is left?  One-half of the original amount is left.

Half-Life Practice Problem #2  The radioactive isotope Carbon-15 decays very fast and has a half-life of 2.5 s. How many half-lives occur in 5.0 s for Carbon-15?  Two half-lives occur because 5.0 s ÷ 2.5 s = 2.  If you started with 100 g, how many grams are left after 5.0 s?  Since 2 half-lives occur, the 100 g must be divided by 2 twice: 100 g ÷ 4 = 25 g.  What fraction of the original amount is left?  1 ÷ (2 × 2) = 1 ÷ 4 = 1/4, one-fourth remains.

Half-Life Practice Problem #3  Neon-15 has a half-life of 30 s. How many half-lives occur in 1.5 min?  Three half-lives occur because 1.5 min = 90 s and 90 s ÷ 30 s = 3.  If you started with 56 g, how many grams are left after 1.5 min?  Since 3 half-lives occurred, the 56 g must be divided by 2 three times: 56 g ÷ 8 = 7 g.  What fraction of the original amount is left?  1 ÷ (2 × 2 × 2) = 1 ÷ 8 = 1/8, one-eighth is left

1. The strongest of the four fundamental forces? A. Strong nuclear B. Weak nuclear C. Gravity D. electromagnetic 45

2. Gravity depends on two things…one is distance the other is… A. Inertia B. Orbits C. Mass D. Volume 45

3. This type of force that holds the nuclei of atoms together A. electromagnetic B. Weak nuclear C. gravitational D. Strong nuclear 45

4. This is the force where opposite charges attract… A. Strong nuclear B. Weak nuclear C. Gravitational D. Electromagnetic 45

5.If an element is radioactive it means that its nucleus is _______. A. small B. unstable C. large D. stable 45

6. This is the type of decay that is the weakest and two protons and two neutrons are released. A. alpha B. beta C. gamma D. fusion 45

7. What is the force that is responsible for nuclear decay? A. Electromagetic B. Strong nuclear C. Gravitational D. Weak nuclear 45

8. This type of reaction goes from large to small and breaks up a big atom into smaller atoms. A. beta B. fusion C. alpha D. fission 45

9. The half-life for Krista-26 is 4.5 years. If the initial amount is 1500 g. how much will be left after 4 half- lives. A B C D

10. As the distance between objects increase the gravity A. increases B. decreases C. Stays the same 45

11. The more mass an object has A. The closer an object is to another object B. The less gravity it has acting on it C. The more gravity is acting on it 45

12. Where does nuclear fission take place? A.Earth B.Sun C.Moon 45

13.This type of decay is the strongest and releases a photon A. alpha B. beta C. gamma D. fusion 45

14. After 4 half-lives a radioactive substance will have only about..? A. 1/8 B. 1/16 C. 1/2 D. 1/32 45

15. Paper clips attracted to a piece of metal is an example of what type of force A. Weak nuclear B. Strong nuclear C. Gravity D. electromagnetic

16. When multiple nuclear fissions occur it is called? A. Nuclear fission B. Chain reaction C. Nuclear fusion D. Dominos

17. This is the process where the nucleus of an atom releases particles or energy. A. fusion B. fission C. decay D. Radioactive decay

18.A 560 g sample of Webb-42 decays to 140 g…how many half-lives have passed? A. 1 B. 4 C. 3 D. 2

19. What force makes it difficult for me to dunk a basketball? A. Weak nuclear B. Strong nuclear C. Gravity D. electromagnetic

20. How many neutrons are lost during gamma decay? A. 1 B. 2 C. 4 D. 0