Nuclear Reactions - Section 7.3 Quiz

Which of the following is the best description of nuclear fission?

Fission, used for all nuclear power generation in the world, involves splitting one large nucleus into two smaller nuclei + subatomic particles + energy
Fission, used in all nuclear weapons and nuclear power generators in the world, involves splitting one large nucleus into two smaller nuclei + subatomic particles + energy
Fission, used for all nuclear power generation in the world, involves joining two light nuclei to form a larger nucleus and to release massive amounts of energy
Fission, used in all nuclear weapons and nuclear power generators in the world, involves joining two light nuclei to form a larger nucleus and to release massive amounts of energy

Examine the following equation.

Which of the following statements best describes the equation shown above?

This is the nuclear equation for fusion. This reaction occurs in the sun, provides most of the explosive force in nuclear weapons, and produces safe products that are not radioactive
This is the nuclear equation for fusion. This reaction occurs in the sun, provides most of the explosive force in nuclear weapons, and produces dangerous radioactive products that require careful disposal and storage
This is the nuclear equation for fission. This reaction occurs in nuclear power reactors, provides most of the explosive force in nuclear weapons, and produces safe products that are not radioactive
This is the nuclear equation for fission. This reaction occurs in nuclear power reactors, provides most of the explosive force in nuclear weapons, and produces dangerous radioactive products that require careful disposal and storage

In nuclear fission, a chain reaction occurs when a neutron given off by the initial fission reaction cause another nearby nucleus to split as well.

What method is used in nuclear reactors to stop this chin reaction from occurring uncontrolled, releasing dangerous amounts of energy in very short time periods?

Materials like cadmium, built into rods and placed into the nuclear material, absorb many released neutrons to slow the chain reaction
The original nuclear material used is a lower quality, and neutrons will not always be released
Half of the nuclear material in the rector gives off beta radiation, so less neutrons are released from the alpha decay
Nuclear material is removed from the reaction chamber every few minutes to decrease the number of neutrons released

In order, from left to right, what are these three subatomic particles involved in nuclear reactions?

A neutron, an alpha particle, and a beta particle
An electron, an alpha particle, and a beta particle
A neutron, a gamma particle, and a beta particle
A neutron, a beta particle, and an alpha particle

Which of the following is not a characteristic of fusion?

Heavy unstable nuclei split apart
Lightweight nuclei join together
Often do not produce products that are radioactive
Not used commercially in reactors

Consider these particles taken together:

What is the most likely missing particle in this reaction?

Americium-241
Neptunium-238
Uranium-235
Plutonium-240

Consider these particles taken together:

What is the most likely missing particle in this reaction?

Uranium-235
Americium-241
Neptunium-238
Plutonium-240

What is the missing daughter nucleus in this equation?

Tin-119
Hydrogen-1
Antimony-119
Indium-120

When discussing nuclear power plants, the problem of nuclear waste always arises as a potential problem. The waste must be handled very carefully, and currently the only method for dealing with the waste is to bury it is deep, underground, stable rock formations.

What is nuclear waste?

Rods which contain spent uranium pellets, radioactive daughter particles, and neutron-absorbing materials
Water used to create steam that drives the turbines in the power plants
Daughter nuclei remaining from the nuclear fusion reactions
Leftover uranium, in addition to excess neutrons

Why have scientists been working for more than 50 years to try to create nuclear fusion power plant?

Nuclear fusion produces huge amounts of energy with little or no hazardous wastes
Nuclear fusion reactions are much easier to create in a chemistry lab than nuclear fission reactions
There is excess hydrogen in our atmosphere that fusion reactions would use up
If the sun ever burns out, scientists would have the same form of energy here on Earth to keep life on the planet alive