Nuclear Reactions Fission and Fusion

Fission Nuclear fission in the process whereby a nucleus, with a high mass number, splits into 2 nuclei which have roughly equal smaller mass numbers. During nuclear fission, neutrons are released. There are 2 types of fission that exist: 1. Spontaneous Fission 2. Induced Fission

U n 1 0 The Fission Process A neutron travels at high speed towards a uranium-235 nucleus.

U n 1 0 The Fission Process A neutron travels at high speed towards a uranium-235 nucleus.

U n 1 0 The Fission Process A neutron travels at high speed towards a uranium-235 nucleus.

U n 1 0 The neutron strikes the nucleus which then captures the neutron. The Fission Process

U The nucleus changes from being uranium-235 to uranium-236 as it has captured a neutron. The Fission Process

The uranium-236 nucleus formed is very unstable. The Fission Process It transforms into an elongated shape for a short time.

The uranium-236 nucleus formed is very unstable. The Fission Process It transforms into an elongated shape for a short time.

The uranium-236 nucleus formed is very unstable. The Fission Process It transforms into an elongated shape for a short time.

It then splits into 2 fission fragments and releases neutrons. The Fission Process Ba Kr n 1 0 n 1 0 n 1 0

It then splits into 2 fission fragments and releases neutrons. The Fission Process Ba Kr n 1 0 n 1 0 n 1 0

It then splits into 2 fission fragments and releases neutrons. The Fission Process Ba Kr n 1 0 n 1 0 n 1 0

It then splits into 2 fission fragments and releases neutrons. The Fission Process Ba Kr n 1 0 n 1 0 n 1 0

Nuclear Fission Examples U Ba n n Kr U Cs n n Rb 96 37

Energy Released The energy released can be calculated using the equation: E = mc 2 Where: E = energy released (J) m = mass difference (kg) c = speed of light in a vacuum (3 x 10 8 ms -1 ) E m c2c2

Energy from Fission E = mc 2 U Cs n n Rb Calculate the energy released from the following fission reaction: m = 2.65 x kg c = 3 x 10 8 ms -1 E = E E = 2.65 x x (3 x 10 8 ) 2 E = x J

Energy from Fission If one uranium-235 atom undergoes a fission reaction and releases x J of energy, then the amount of energy released by 1 kg of uranium-235 can be calculated as follows: total energy = energy per fission x number of atoms total energy = x x 2.56 x total energy = x J total energy = 61,056,000,000,000 J

Fat Man & Little Boy

Nuclear Fusion In nuclear fusion, two nuclei with low mass numbers combine to produce a single nucleus with a higher mass number. H He n 1 0 H Energy

The Fusion Process H 2 1 H 3 1

H 2 1 H 3 1

H 2 1 H 3 1

H 2 1 H 3 1

He 4 2 n 1 0 ENERGY

The Fusion Process He 4 2 n 1 0 ENERGY

The Fusion Process He 4 2 n 1 0 ENERGY

The Fusion Process He 4 2 n 1 0 ENERGY

Energy from Fusion E = mc 2 m = 3.1 x kg c = 3 x 10 8 ms -1 E = E E = 3.1 x x (3 x 10 8 ) 2 E = 2.79 x J H He n 1 0 H Energy The energy released per fusion is 2.79 x J.

Fusion – Hydrogen Bomb The worlds most powerful hydrogen bomb was detonated on the 30th of October The bomb had an explosive force of 58 megatons, or almost 6,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The bomb was dropped by an aircraft, and detonated 365 meters (1,200 feet) above the surface. The shock wave produced by this bomb was so powerful, it went thrice around the earth.

US Nuclear Triad

In the fast paced, tech-savvy world we live in today, it is easy to disregard the dangers of nuclear warfare. We live in a generation almost 70 years removed from the travesties of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. However the danger today is far greater than it was 70 years ago. In today's world there are not many countries which do not possess nuclear weaponry. Consider all that you have learned about nuclear chemistry, the films utilized in class (Fat Man and Little Boy & WW2 from Space), and what you have observed and experienced throughout your educational career (especially in the progression of science) to answer the following questions (in proper essay format): What struggles did the scientists face when developing the atomic bomb? (Consider the scientific/technological struggles as well as the possible career acknowledgement and political and societal concerns/backlash – the humanitarian position). What would you have done if you were in their shoes? Do you feel they made the right choices? Explain. Are you for or against nuclear weaponry? Would you have made the same decisions our country made during WW2? (To make the bomb in the first place; to actually utilize it, etc.) Why? Explain your position. What do think will happen should someone initiate nuclear war? Who would survive? Who do you think would strike first? Why? What do you think the future holds for a world surrounded by nuclear danger all at the “push of a button”? Will we continue to do what our weaponry makes possible? Will we or have we already “gone too far”? When is enough, enough? Explain you reasoning. In the fast paced, tech-savvy world we live in today, it is easy to disregard the dangers of nuclear warfare. We live in a generation almost 70 years removed from the travesties of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. However the danger today is far greater than it was 70 years ago. In today's world there are not many countries which do not possess nuclear weaponry. Consider all that you have learned about nuclear chemistry, the films utilized in class (Fat Man and Little Boy & WW2 from Space), and what you have observed and experienced throughout your educational career (especially in the progression of science) to answer the following questions (in proper essay format): What struggles did the scientists face when developing the atomic bomb? (Consider the scientific/technological struggles as well as the possible career acknowledgement and political and societal concerns/backlash – the humanitarian position). What would you have done if you were in their shoes? Do you feel they made the right choices? Explain. Are you for or against nuclear weaponry? Would you have made the same decisions our country made during WW2? (To make the bomb in the first place; to actually utilize it, etc.) Why? Explain your position. What do think will happen should someone initiate nuclear war? Who would survive? Who do you think would strike first? Why? What do you think the future holds for a world surrounded by nuclear danger all at the “push of a button”? Will we continue to do what our weaponry makes possible? Will we or have we already “gone too far”? When is enough, enough? Explain you reasoning.