Nuclear Chemistry Review

Examine the diagram of a facility that can generate electricity from nuclear energy. What structure could be impacted that could result in unintended release of radioactive nuclear waste?

• a break in the turbine system

• a breach in the cooling tower

• a breach in the containment structure

• a malfunction in the generator

There are many positive and negative aspects associated with nuclear power. What is a positive aspect associated with nuclear power?

• Exposure to radiation can lead to disease or genetic abnormalities.

• The waste that is produced is toxic to the environment and to the general population.

• There is a high ratio of energy to cost.

• There is a risk of possible meltdown, a tragedy on a global scale.

Nuclear energy is considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly sources of energy. Compared to traditional sources of energy such as the combustion of fossil fuels, it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions during the production of electricity. What is another advantage of using nuclear energy?

• Generating electricity in nuclear power plants is cheaper than producing electricity from coal oil gas or renewable energy sources.

• It is relatively easy and cost effective to store any nuclear wastes or pollutants from nuclear power plants.

• It is a renewable energy resource.

• A nuclear power plant generates during a year of activity about 20 metric tons of used nuclear waste that can be recycled through the power plant.

Many of the technological advances over the last 50 - 75 years have been in the area of weaponry and warfare, such as atomic/nuclear weapons, radar, biological weapons, etc. These advances have both positive and negative aspects. Which statement describes a negative aspect of these advances?

• Advances in satellite imagery have made desired targets easy to hit with little destruction of innocent life and property.

• The lingering radiation after detonation of atomic weapons destroys the land and continues to harm people and animals long after the blast.

• Advances in communication and transportation have made it easier to prevent attacks and rescue those who need be rescued.

• The advances in body armor protect individuals and prevent deaths that previously could not be prevented.

The development of nuclear power has provided electricity for less money, but at a cost. What may be considered a 'cost' of nuclear power?

• The radioactive waste is unsafe and hard to store safely.

• Large amounts of energy are produced very cheaply.

• Nuclear power plants provide new jobs for a community.

• It takes a lot of energy to run a nuclear power plant.

From the picture, describe the difference between the two types of radiation shown.

• The top shown gamma decay and the bottom shows alpha decay.

• The top shown beta decay and the bottom shows alpha decay.

• The top shown beta decay and the bottom shows gamma decay.

• The top shown alpha decay and the bottom shows beta decay.

Without the sun, life on earth would not exist. There would be no warmth, no plants, no animals, no night and day. To power itself, the sun is constantly generating a nuclear reaction in its core, in which hydrogen nuclei are combined to form helium. This process is known as __________.

• fusion

• fission

• radiance

• solar flaring

A beta and gamma source, Co-60, was placed in a chamber which was first lined with paper and then, after, with copper and lead. A Geiger counter was used in both cases to detect the emission of radiation. You expect

• strong emissions when the chamber is paper lined; faint emissions when lead lined.

• some emissions when the chamber is lined with paper, but none when lead lined.

• strong emissions to be recorded outside the chamber in both cases.

• no emissions to be recorded in either case.

This electromagnetic wave has a very high penetrating power. It is emitted during the decay of many radioactive isotopes, such as U-238 and I-131. It is a __________ wave.

• beta

• gamma

• neutron

• alpha

Which statement describes the process of fusion, but not the process of fission?

• This process produces dangerous amounts of nuclear waste.

• This process creates massive amounts of energy.

• This process is only in the research phase.

• This process needs very little fuel compared to fossil fuel energy production.