CHAPTER 16 ATOMIC ENERGY
What are we talking about?
This chapter will be talking about Atomic energy(As seen in the title of the chapter) radioactivity, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion.
VOCABULARY for chapter 16 section 1
1. radioactivity: the process by which an unstable nucleus gives off nuclear radiation
2. mass number: the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
3. isotope: atoms that have the same number of protons as other atoms of the same element do but that have different numbers of neutrons
4. half-life: the time needed for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to undergo radioactive decay
2. mass number: the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
3. isotope: atoms that have the same number of protons as other atoms of the same element do but that have different numbers of neutrons
4. half-life: the time needed for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to undergo radioactive decay
section 1: radioACTIVITY
In 1896, a French scientist found a new area of science called radioactivity. There are different kinds of radioactivity decay such as alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. Alpha decay is the release of a alpha particle, an alpha particle is made up of two protons and two neutrons. Many large radioactive nuclei give off alpha particles and become nuclei of atoms of different elements. Beta decay is the release of a beta particle from a nucleus. A beta particle can be an electron or positron. There are two types of beta decay, the two types include isotopes and conservation of mass number and charge. Gamma decay is the release of gamma rays from a nucleus, this decay happens as particles in the nucleus shift places. Atoms that are hit by radiation lose electrons,this can cause damage to living and nonliving matter. Other than the damage that radioactivity can cause, it can also be quite useful. Tracers are an example, because there are used to locate and diagnose medical problems such as cancer. Radioactivity can be used to help detect defects metal structures like buildings and bridges.
vocabulary for chapter 16 section 2
1. nuclear fission: The splitting of the nucleus of large atom into two or more fragments; releases additional neutrons and energy
2.nuclear chain reaction: a continuous series of nuclear fission reactions
3. nuclear fusion: the combination of the nuclei of small atoms to form a larger nucleus that releases energy
2.nuclear chain reaction: a continuous series of nuclear fission reactions
3. nuclear fusion: the combination of the nuclei of small atoms to form a larger nucleus that releases energy
section 2: energy from the nucleus
There are pros and cons of gaining energy from the nucleus, but there are only two ways to gain this energy. The two ways include nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Nuclear fission is the process by which a large nucleus splits into small nuclei and releases energy. Nuclear fission has its pros and cons, but a concern that many people have about nuclear fission is the risk nuclear meltdowns like the one in Chernobyl,Ukraine. Another fear of nuclear power is the waste that is created from the fuel rods and chemicals used to process the uranium. Although there are many disadvantages of nuclear power from nuclear fission, there are also benefits from nuclear power plants. one advantage of using nuclear power would be that it cost less to run a nuclear power plant than it does for plants that use fossil fuels. Also nuclear power plants do not release gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. Nuclear fusion is another example of how to gain energy. Like nuclear fission there are many advantages and disadvantages of nuclear fusion as well. One disadvantage of nuclear fusion is that very high temperatures are needed for that fusion(An example of what i am talking about is the sun). Other than the very high temperatures that are needed nuclear fusion has many pros that help. One pro of nuclear fusion would be the less amount of accidents that may occur. Another advantage of nuclear fusion would be that it there is more fuel in fusion reactors than there is in power plants that use fossil fuels. One more advantage that fusion provides is that there is less waste, so it is a cleaner fuel.
nuclear fission
In the picture to the left shows a modern nuclear power plant, these plants can be very accident prone.
nuclear chain reaction
In the picture shows an example of a nuclear chain reaction such as the one shown an atomic bomb.
nuclear fusion
In this picture shows the worlds largest nuclear fusion reactor. Here shows the future of nuclear fusion reactors