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Nuclear Reactions AN INTRODUCTION TO FISSION & FUSION Farley Visitors Center Matter and Energy A basic law of science says that “matter and energy cannot be created nor destroyed”. We also need to understand that MATTER and ENERGY are two forms of the same thing. E = mc2 Matter can be changed into energy. Einstein’s famous equation tells us E = mc2 In the equation above: E = Energy m = Mass c = Speed of Light (Universal Constant) Energy Mass Light Speed E = mc2 The equation may be read as follows: Energy (E) is equal to Mass (m) multiplied by the Speed of Light (c) squared. This tells us that a small amount of mass can be converted into a very large amount of energy because the speed of light (c) is an extremely large number! Fission FISSION may be defined as the process of splitting an atomic nucleus into fragments. The fission fragments are generally in the form of smaller atomic nuclei (called DAUGTHER NUCLIDES) and NEUTRONS. Large amounts of energy are produced by the fission process! Fission FISSILE nuclei are generally heavy atoms with large numbers of nucleons! The nuclei of such heavy atoms are struck by neutrons initiating the fission process. Fission A classic example of a fission reaction is that of U-235: U-235 + 1 Neutron Kr-92 + Ba-142 + 2 No + Energy In this example, a stray neutron strikes an atom of U-235. It absorbs the neutron and becomes an unstable atom of U-236. It then undergoes fission and splits into two daughter nuclides. Notice that more neutrons are released in the reaction. These neutrons can then strike other U-235 atoms to initiate their fission. Kr-92 No No Energy U-235 No Ba-142 Each fission can theoretically initiate TWO MORE. 1 fission 2 fissions 4 fissions 8 fissions 16 fissions…N number of fissions. This is known as a CHAIN REACTION….the previous occurrence initiates the next one. Fission Fission produces large amounts of heat energy and it is this heat that is captured by nuclear power plants to produce electricity. In a nuclear power plant, the chain reaction is controlled by inserting CADMIUM RODS into the reaction chamber. These rods absorb some of the NEUTRONS produced and slow the CHAIN REACTION so that it can proceed at a CONTROLLED RATE. In a NUCLEAR WEAPON, such as those used in WWII in Japan, the reaction proceeds at an uncontrolled rate, resulting in a massive release of energy. Fusion Fusion is a nuclear reaction whereby two light atomic nuclei fuse or combine to form a single larger, heavier nucleus. H Energy He H Subatomic Particles The fusion process generates tremendous amounts of energy; refer back to Einstein’s equation. For fusion to occur, a large amount of energy is needed to overcome the electrical repulsive charges of the nuclei and fuse them together. Fusion Unlike fission reactions, fusion reactions do not occur naturally on our planet but are the principal type of reaction found in stars. The sun fuses hydrogen atoms to produce helium, subatomic particles, and vast amounts of energy. The fusion reaction releases many times more energy than an equivalent fission reaction. Review Mass and Energy are two forms of the same thing; neither can be created nor destroyed but mass can be converted into energy (E = mc2). Fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavy atomic nucleus is split into lighter atomic nuclei Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which 2 light atomic nuclei are combined into a single, heavier atomic nucleus Quiz Which nuclear process produces large amounts of energy? A. Fission B. Fusion C. Both fission & fusion D. Neither fission nor fusion Quiz Fission is the process that _________ atomic nuclei. A. Combines B. Burns up C. Stores D. Splits Quiz Mass may be converted into energy. A. True B. False Quiz The fission process requires heavy atomic nuclei. A. True B. False Quiz Name a nuclear reaction that occurs within the sun. Nuclear Fusion Quiz Fission is a natural process that occurs on the planet Earth. A. True B. False Quiz Explain this equation: E = mc2