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Radiation and Particles (Nuclear Power Stations (Advantages (A lot of…
Radiation and Particles
Atomic Structure
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Alpha particles
Made up of two protons and two neutrons - big, heavy, slow-moving
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They are blocked by paper, skin, or a few cm of air
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Isotopes, decay and nuclear equations
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Nuclear equations
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Beta emission
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Activity and half-life
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Half-life
The older it becomes, the less radiation it will emit
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Nuclear Power Stations
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- A neutron is fired at a U 235, the nucleus absorbs the neutron to become U 236.
- U 236 decays into two smaller nuclei and 3 fast moving neutrons. Energy is released in the form of kinetic energy (of the neutrons)
- The fast moving neutrons are moving too quickly to be absorbed by another U nuclei. Moderators absorb the excess energy to allow the neutrons to collide with U nuclei
Moderators = heat up the water and the steam turns the generator, producing electricity.
Control Rods = control the rate of reaction by absorbing excess neurons. It is possible to raise or lower the control rods to adjust the rate of reaction.
Advantages
A lot of energy is released from a small amount of fuel, able to change the energy output, no pollutants released.
Disadvantages
Left with nuclear waste, expensive to build, security and geopolitical concerns, potential for disaster
Uses of radiology
Irradiating food
Ionising food, food lasts longer, strawberries
Thickness control
Beta radiation, the amount of radiation passing through a material can be detected and used to control the thickness of material, making tin foil
Medical tracers
Injects either beta or gamma rays into the body, has a short half-life, used to examine the body
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Nuclear Fission
A large nucleus is hit by a neutron. This splits it into two smaller nuclei. Energy is released. Mass is lost
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Chain reaction
Each U 235 nuclei that absorbs a neutron will emit 3 neutrons. Those 3 neutrons can then cause three further decays releasing 9 neutrons, then 27 and so on.