Nuclear fission and fusion reactions have uses related to energy production. What are some energy-related facts related to fission and fusion?

Groups:

(a) nuclear fusion

,

(b) nuclear fission

• would involve generating and sustaining plasma

• potentially risky due to waste products and leakage

• presently in use for energy production in many countries

• potentially clean and safe source of high energy, if it can be lab-created

Tags

I.8.C

I.3.A

DOK 2

There are several safety mechanisms in nuclear fission reactors, including electromagnets that turn off when there is a power outage. Why are so many safety features needed?

• it is a natural chain reaction but the safety features are just for regulation purposes

• it is a chain reaction that can get out of control

• it requires extremely high temperatures

• it is hypothetical and not yet realized

Tags

DOK 2

I.8.C

I.3.A

Nuclear fission occurs when an atom, such as uranium, releases energy when it splits from being bombarded by which subatomic particle?

• proton

• neutron

• electron

• photon

• positron

Tags

DOK 1

I.8.C

I.3.A

Why is nuclear fusion considered safer than nuclear fission?

• fusion takes energy to be sustained so you can stop the reaction by taking away energy

• fusion is a chain reaction that must be controlled or it will get out of control

• fission takes energy to be sustained so you can stop the reaction by taking away energy

• they are equally unsafe

Tags

DOK 2

I.8.C

I.3.A

The image shows nuclear

Tags

DOK 3

I.8.C

I.3.A

Nuclear fission as an energy source has a serious drawback in that it produces radioactive by-products that must be disposed of safely. Which of the following is a way in which some of those by-products can be used productively?

• by converting them into cleaning products

• by producing adhesives

• using them in medical applications

• using them to warm large buildings

Tags

DOK 2

I.8.C

I.3.A

Each second within the Sun, 600 million tons of matter are converted into -

• electromagnetic energy

• lithium and carbon atoms

• gravitational force

• universal dark matter

Tags

DOK 1

I.8.C

Identify the particle that initiates the nuclear fission chain reaction.

Tags

DOK 3

I.8.C

I.3.A

Identify the type of reaction that produces electricity in nuclear reactors.

Tags

DOK 3

I.8.C

I.3.A

Under conditions of extreme temperature and pressure, hydrogen atoms join together to form helium, releasing tremendous amounts of energy. This process is called nuclear fusion.

Learning how to control and use the energy released by nuclear fusion is most likely to help solve which type of these problems?

• high cost of space travel

• droughts and flooding

• global food shortages

• reliance on fossil fuels

Tags

DOK 2

I.4.B

I.8.C