An explanation of the process of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

An explanation of the process of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

Nuclear fission is when a neutron hits the nucleus of heavy element it makes the atom split into two new atoms. Then the two new atoms have a nucleus and around half the number of protons and neutrons from the original atom. This makes a lot of energy and gamma rays. Then two or three neutrons that aren’t held by a bond come off of the atom. Then it creates a chain reaction which makes even more energy and this is very good in a controlled process but can be also be very dangerous in a uncontrolled process and can create atomic bombs. (world-nuclear.org, 2007).

Nuclear fusion is when two light elements hit each other to make a heavy element. (world-nuclear.org, 2007).

Unlike fission bombs, which are made of uranium atoms or other heavy elements fusion bombs are made of hydrogen atoms. Also in the nuclear fusion process it is always uncontrolled because scientists haven't been able to control it yet and fission can be controlled. Fusion and Fission is alike because they both can be uncontrolled and turned into nuclear bombs but are different because only fission can be controlled to make energy. (world-nuclear.org, 2007).

Fission picture

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Fission/Fission1.shtml

Chain reaction picture

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Fission/Fission2.shtml

Fusion picture

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Fusion/Fusion1.shtml

A distinction between nuclear reactions and chemical reactions

A distinction between nuclear reactions and chemical reactions

Nuclear and chemical reactions are different because in nuclear reactions isotopes react differently and in chemical reactions they react the same way. Also in nuclear reactions the reaction happens outside of the nucleus and in chemical reactions it’s the opposite the reaction happens inside the nucleus. In nuclear reactions after the reaction their is a new element made and in chemical reactions its two elements coming together and in the end they still have the same number of protons and neutrons as they did before the reaction. In chemical reactions they have to have a combination of elements to react and in nuclear reactions they don’t. Also the mass doesn’t change in chemical reactions but it does change in nuclear reactions. Another thing is nuclear reactions produce more energy then chemical reactions. (http://vax1.bemidji.msus.edu/ n,d)

Chemical Reactions picture
http://www.wmmi.org/topics/topic_imgs/reactions.JPG

Nuclear reactions Picture http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/EvilOmniscience/motivational/youwantone.jpg

Comparison of the amount of energy released through chemical reactions and nuclear fission and fusion.

Comparison of the amount of energy released through chemical reactions and nuclear fission and fusion.

Nuclear reactions create more energy because in chemical reactions the law of conversation of energy is true for chemical reactions and it’s not true for nuclear reactions because it takes little energy to start a big reaction for nuclear reactions. Also nuclear reactions make more energy because the energy for nuclear reactions comes from when the mass is turned into energy. (Curran., Gregory L, 2004).

Chemical reactions release energy in two forms exothermic and endothermic. Exothermic is when energy is given off this requires only the activation energy. Endothermic is when energy is gained and need constant energy being put into the reaction. (Curran., Gregory L, 2004).

In Nuclear reactions energy is released in nuclear fission when two heavy elements collide to make a heavy element and creates a chain reaction which makes a ton of energy. But nuclear fusion releases even more energy then fission because the mass that’s turned into energy is much bigger then from a fission reaction. But fission is the only way nuclear energy is released to make energy to power things in our world this is because nuclear fusion can't be controlled yet and fission can be. Also both of these types of energy can be very dangerous because when they are uncontrolled they can make bombs. (princeton.edu, n,d)

Comparing and contrasting the properties of elements and their radioactive isotopes

Comparing and contrasting the properties of elements and their radioactive isotopes

Isotopes are atoms of the same element and have the same amount protons but a different amount of neutrons. They also have the same atomic number but a different mass number. (Nuclear Science Division ---- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 2007)

Radioactive isotopes happen when the isotope does not occur naturally and a new combination of neutrons and protons combine to make the atom unstable. These atoms are made artificially. (world-nuclear.org, 2007).

Isotope picture

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Physics/Images/isotopes.jpg

Descriptions of how isotopes can be used in research, medicine, industry, and electricity generation.

Descriptions of how isotopes can be used in research, medicine, industry, and electricity generation.

Radioactive isotopes can be used to diagnose patients for certain diseases in their organs or it can help treat something such as cancer. But this can really weaken their body after treatment. The most common isotope for diagnoses is technetium-99. Radioactive isotopes can also be used in industry for increasing production and also to gain information. Also in industry and mining they can be used to look at welds, find leaks and to look at a big range of minerals and fuels. Also they can be used in food preservation by killing things that are harmful to our bodies. They also help keep food good and not spoil to fast. In livestock and crops they help keep diseases away from the animals for crops so they don't die. And isotopes are used in X-ray machines. In research radioactive isotopes also can be used as tracers these make gamma rays that can be used for diagnostic research and helps with organ research as well. Some gamma rays can be used for sterilization. Research reactors are used for research and training. Their mostly used on University Campuses. They are used in smoke detectors and the police use them also for research. (world-nuclear.org, 2007).

Half-life is the time needed for half of the atoms in a group of radioactive isotopes to decay. Each isotope has a different half-life. (Nuclear Science Division ---- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2007)

Radioactive isotope picture

http://www.personal.psu.edu/jab5021/radioactive.jpg

Descriptions of the types of radiation produced from a nuclear reaction and the potential risks and benefits associated with each type.

Descriptions of the types of radiation produced from a nuclear reaction and the potential risks and benefits associated with each type.

Their are three main types of radiation alpha, beta, and gamma rays. Alpha radiation has two protons and two neutrons and is given off from naturally-occurring heavy elements some examples are uranium and radium, some are from man made elements. Alpha radiation cannot go through the skin but are very dangerous if it gets inside the human body. Is given off during radioactive decay. Beta radiation is made up of fast moving particles that can go threw the skin. Aluminum or wood can stop them from penetrating the skin though. They also aren’t as harmful as gamma rays. Also given of by an atom during radioactive decay. Gamma rays are a lot like X-rays and can go threw the skin very easily so you need much protection from them. Is from the atomic nucleus. (world-nuclear.org, 2007).

Two other types radiation are ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. X-rays come from ionizing radiation. These rays can be very dangerous to your organs. Non-ionizing radiation comes from visible light and technology, common radiation found in our lives.(world-nuclear.org, 2007).

Benefits of nuclear radiation are that it helps with non-pollution energy source and can be used in many different to help our lives. Nuclear energy can be used in medicine, industry, research and in many other ways. Some risks are that long-term high exposure to radiation can cause cancer.(world-nuclear.org, 2007).

A description of how interactions within the atom produce change.

A description of how interactions within the atom produce change.

Intramolecular forces are covalent, metallic, and ionic bonds. These bonds produce change when they bond to other atoms and produce metallic ionic and covalent bonds. Then those bonds change in chemical and nuclear reactions. They change in chemical reactions when a bond is split and another bond is formed. In nuclear reactions fission and fusion produce change. In fission change is produced when two heavy atoms combine to make a lighter atom with half of the protons and neutrons. In nuclear fusion two light atoms combine to make a heavier atom. (Intermolecular and Intermolecular Forces, n,d).

Bonds picture

http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/chemhealth/images/ch1_bonds.gif

References

References

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Web site: http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/chemistry/NuclearChemistry/NuclearReactions/versusChemicalReactions/ChemicalReactions.htm

Curran., Gregory L. (2004). Energy and Chemical Reactions.
Retrieved February 22, 2009, from Science Help Online Chemistry
Web site: http://www.fordhamprep.org/gcurran/sho/sho/lessons/lesson16.htm

Fusion vs. Fission. Retrieved February 22, 2009, from Fusion
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Intermolecular and Intermolecular Forces.
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Web site: http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/basics/what-is-fission.htm

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Basics of Nuclear Science.
Retrieved February 22, 2009, from ABC's of Nuclear Science Web site: http://www.lbl.gov/abc/Basic.html

"nuclear energy." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-nuclener.html

personal.psu.edu (2006). radioactive. Retrieved March 1, 2009,
from Penn State Web site: http://www.personal.psu.edu/jab5021/radioactive.jpg

photobucket.com (2009). Nuclear Weapons. Retrieved March 1, 2009,
from Photobucket Web site: http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/EvilOmniscience/motivational/youwantone.jpg

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