Nuclear Reactions Review

Scientists have continuously been searching for ways to create a system for energy production through fusion reactions but have been unsuccessful. Which of the following explains why it is still not a practical source of power?

• Fusion can create a huge amount of energy with very little fuel.

• Fusion radioactive byproducts have a shorter half-life than fission byproducts.

• Fusion requires a large amount of energy to force atoms to initially fuse together.

• Fusion reactions have virtually little to no risk of nuclear accidents.

Which of the following equations best represents a fusion reaction?

• A + B --> C + energy

• C --> A + B + energy

• A + B --> AB + energy

• C --> AB + energy

Researchers have attempted to combine the nuclei of multiple atoms to generate large amounts of energy. To date, researchers have not been able to perform this process without using more energy than is generated by the reaction.

Which type of reaction are the researchers seeking to achieve?

• Synthesis

• Fusion

• Decomposition

• Fission

The energy in the Sun currently is provided by a process that combines two hydrogen atoms to form one helium atom. In a few billion years, the Sun will begin a process combining three helium atoms into one carbon atom. This will cause the Sun to expand and cool to a red color becoming a red giant.

What process will the Sun perform when it becomes a red giant?

• Synthesis

• Combustion

• Fusion

• Fission

What is a fission reaction?

• The process of splitting the nucleus of an atom

• The process of combining nuclei to form a larger nucleus

• The process of changing the physical arrangement of particles

• The process of combining atoms together into a molecule

Carbon dating is a process where scientists evaluate the percentage ofCarbon-14 atoms that have decayed to Carbon-12. The process of changing from Carbon-14 to Carbon-12 involves the atoms losing two neutrons.

What type of reaction occurs when Carbon-14 changes to Carbon-12?

• Decomposition

• Single replacement

• Fusion

• Fission

To discover if a cancer has metastasized, an oncologist might request a Positron-emission tomography (PET) scan be performed by a radiologist. The PET scanner detects gamma radiation emitting from a chemical injected into the patient.

Based in the information above, what type of reaction is occurring when a PET scanner is used?

• Decomposition

• Fission

• Fusion

• Synthesis

How does a nuclear reactor produce energy?

• Atoms, such as uranium, undergo fusion in a reactor. This generates heat which turns water to steam in a turbine which generates electricity.

• Atoms, such as uranium, undergo fission in a reactor. This generates heat which turns water to steam in a turbine which generates electricity.

• Atoms, such as uranium, burn in a reactor. This generates heat which turns water to steam in a turbine which generates electricity.

• We do not currently have the technology to harness nuclear reactions to generate electricity.

What type of reactor removes the excess heat from the reactor core?

• Moderators

• Shielding

• Coolant

• Control Rods

What type of reactor isolates the fission reaction from the outside environment?

• Moderators

• Shielding

• Coolant

• Control Rods