Question

What type of nuclear reaction is shown in the diagram below? Write 2 - 3 sentences describing what happens in this reaction, where it happens, and how the energy released can be harnessed for use in homes.

Answer 1

Here we can see in the given picture that a small particle is incident upon a big nuclei

Then a big nuclei is broken into two smaller nuclei

This type of reaction in which a unstable big nuclei is converted into small size stable nuclei is known as Nuclear Fission Reaction

here to start such type of nuclear fission reaction we require initial energy which is here given by high kinetic energy neutrons

so here if neutrons of sufficient kinetic energy are projected towards unstable big nuclei then these big unstable nuclei will convert into stable small nuclei

In this whole reaction the mass of stable nuclei formed is less than the total mass of initial nuclei present

So here due to mass difference energy is released which is given by Einstein's Equation

`Q = \Delta m c^2`

Answer 2

The answer to each part is given below with explanation.

Part 1 What type of nuclear reaction is shown in the diagram below

The diagram below shows the nuclear fission reaction

Part 2 Write 2 - 3 sentences describing what happens in this reaction.

In nuclear fission, an unstable atom splits into two or more smaller pieces that are more stable, and releases energy in the process. The fission process also releases extra neutrons, which can then split additional atoms, resulting in a chain reaction that releases a lot of energy.

Part 3 where it happens,

These reactions usually occur naturally in radioactive atoms. For instance in naturally occurring thorium-232, uranium-235, and uranium-238, spontaneous fission does occur naturally. By being bombarded with neutrons, nuclei with heavy atoms can be divided into several fragments formed by nuclei with lighter atoms, these reaction can also be handled in laboratory.

Part 4 how the energy released can be harnessed for use in homes.

Nuclear energy can be harnessed by fusion reactions. A fusion reaction occurs when two hydrogen atoms combine to produce one helium atom. We cannot harness this reaction in home but we can do it in nuclear reactors to produce certain amount of electrical energy.