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Nuclear energy is energy which is released from the fusion or fission of a nucleus. Since generation of nuclear energy is extremely dangerous, there are still a lot of restrictions on the generation of nuclear energy in the world today. In a nucleus, the nucleons are bound to each other with very strong forces of attraction. When these nucleons are disturbed (either during fusion or fission), a great amount of energy is released. This energy is known as nuclear energy. If generated properly (with complete safety precautions), nuclear energy is a good substitute for fossil fuels.
- The energy then is set to be free if certain nuclei are transmuted into a lot of tightly certain nuclei. Two such processes are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
- In typical energy sources like coal or crude oil, energy is free through chemical reactions. The energies concerned are of the order of lepton volts per atom.
- As we've seen, energies concerned in nuclear processes are a million times larger (in MeVs per nucleon). This implies that for the identical amount of matter, nuclear sources can provide a million times the larger energy than typical sources.
- One metric weight unit of coal on burning provides 107 J of energy, whereas one metric weight unit of atomic number is 92 that undergoes fission, can generate on fission 1014 J of energy.
- Nuclear fusion and fission are two different kinds of reactions that unharness energy because of the presence of high-powered atomic bonds between particles found inside a nucleus.
- In fission, the associate atom is split into two or a lot of smaller, lighter atoms. Fusion, in distinction, happens once two or smaller atoms fuse along, making a bigger, heavier atom.
- Nuclear Fission Example: 10n + 23592U → 23692U → 14054Xe + 9438Sr + 210n
- Nuclear Fusion Example: 21H + 21H → 32He + n + 3.27 MeV
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Nuclear fusion, Nuclear Reactor, Nuclear Fission, Chain reaction , Nuclear energy
Difference Between Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion
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| Nuclear Fission | Nuclear Fusion |
|---|---|
| Fission is the dividing of larger atoms into two or smaller atoms. | Fusion is the fusing of two or more lighter atoms into larger atoms. |
| Fission doesn’t occur in nature | Fusion occurs in nature Ex: Sun, star, etc. |
| Fission releases highly radioactive particles | Only some radioactive particles produced from fusion. |
| Mass and High-speed neutrons are required | High density and high temperature is required |
| Fission requires only less energy to split the atoms | High energy is required to bring the protons closer |
| Fission is used in nuclear power plant | Fusion is used for experimental tech for producing energy |
| Uranium is the primary fuel used for nuclear fission | Hydrogen isotopes are the primary fuel used in fusion power plants. |
Also Read:
| Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mass-Energy and Nuclear Binding Energy | Nuclear Force | Murphy’s Law |
| Nuclear Physics | Alpha Particle Mass | Radioactivity Decay |
Nuclear Reactor
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- When 23592U undergoes fission after getting attacked by a neutron, it divides into two nuclei and releases a neutron. This extra neutron now starts the fission of another 23592U nucleus.
- For that matter, 2.5 neutrons are released per fission of a uranium nucleus. Also, fission releases more neutrons than it consumes.
- This increases the chain reaction with every neutron that is being produced, triggering another fission.
- If this chain reaction is independent, then it can lead to demolition.
- On the other hand, if it is controlled, it can be tackled to generate electric power.
Nuclei Class 12 Important Notes PDF
Nuclei Class 12 Important Notes
Moderators
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Moderators will make sure that the amount of neutrons generated by a given generation is larger than those created by the preceding generation. Hence, the multiplication factor ‘K’ or the growth of the expansion rate of neutrons within the reactor maybe within the vary 1
- K<1 means the neutrons don't seem to be increasing in range over the previous generations. Or, they're escaping without causing fission.
- K>1 means the reaction rate and nuclear energy within the reactor is increasing exponentially and may even explode. It must be brought right down to as near to unity as attainable.
- K=1 means that the reactor will be able to inject steady power.
Nuclear Fusion in the Sun
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The temperature of the Sun is around 1.5x107 K. Even within the sun, fusion happens only if protons having energies higher than the common energy are concerned. In simple words, for nuclear fusion to occur heat and pressure conditions are required. This is often solely attainable within the interiors of the Sun and different stars.
- In the Sun, nuclear fusion occurs in various processes where hydrogen is burned into helium. Here, hydrogen is the fuel and helium, the ash. The process is as follows:
11H + 11H → 21H + e– + v + 0.42 MeV … (1)
e– + e+ → γ + γ + 1.02 MeV … (2)
21H + 11H → 32He + γ + 5.49 MeV … (3)
32He + 32He → 42He + 11H + 11H + 12.86 MeV … (4)
- For the fourth reaction to occur, the first three reactions should occur twice. So, two light helium nuclei unit form a normal helium nucleus.
- Hence, we can see that four hydrogen nuclei combine together to form a helium nucleus and release 26.7 MeV of energy.
Things to Remember
- Nuclear energy is energy which is released from the fusion or fission of a nucleus.
- The energy then is set to be free if certain nuclei are transmuted into a lot of tightly certain nuclei. Two such processes are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
- Fission is the dividing of larger atoms into two or smaller atoms but fusion is the fusing of two or more lighter atoms into larger atoms.
- When 23592U undergoes fission after getting attacked by a neutron, it divides into two nuclei and releases a neutron. This extra neutron now starts the fission of another 23592U nucleus.
- Moderators will make sure that the amount of neutrons generated by a given generation is larger than those created by the preceding generation.
- In typical energy sources like coal or crude oil, energy is free through chemical reactions. The energies concerned are of the order of lepton volts per atom.
Also Read:
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the advantage of nuclear energy? (1 mark)
Ans. The yield of nuclear energy is enormous and hence it has extraordinary potential as an energy source.
Ques. Hydroelectric power plants are more eco-friendly than thermal power plants? (2 marks)
Ans. Hydroelectric power plants generate small or no waste, it emits no toxic gases when compared to a thermal power plant that causing lesser harm to the environment. However, the constructions of dams often cause loss of biodiversity which needs to be considered and mitigated through environmental management.
Ques. What precautions should be taken against nuclear radiations? (4 marks)
Ans.
- The persons working in the nuclear power plants must wear special jackets and gloves made up of lead linings so the radiations do not penetrate into the body.
- The handling of the nuclear plant should be done out from a particular distance.
- The nuclear power plant should be located far in the distance from the city.
- There should be proper arrangements for the disposal of nuclear wastes.
Ques. What are the health issues related to nuclear radiations? (3 marks)
Ans.
- The radiations can affect body cells and may cause cancer.<
- The radiations can damage the genes of a person and this can be transferred to the next generation.
- The radiations can cause permanent incurable disease in the human body.
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