Question

1. Compare and contrast the processes of nuclear fission and fusion, showing similarities and differences. Describe which, if any, of these processes is naturally occurring. If so, where?

2. What is the half-life of sodium-24? Sodium-24 decays by beta emission. Write a nuclear equation that shows the decay of sodium-24 and its products.

3. Describe the subatomic structure of the nucleus, including the structure of each nucleon. Describe the forces that hold the nucleus together and draw them on your diagram.
Explain how beta emission works.

Answer 1

Explanation:

1. Nuclear fission is a process of conversion of a nuclear mass into energy. If we have an unstable isotope bombarded by a neutron, then it splits into some other elements with a chain reaction, producing energy.

Scheme:

`n\Rightarrow U^(235)=U_(92)^(236)unstable\: fissionable\Rightarrow \gamma +Ba_(56)^(144)+Kr_(36)^(99)+3n...`

Nuclear fusion is a process of union (fusion) of atomic nuclei combining them into one with heavier mass releasing huge amounts of energy.

Scheme:

`H_(1)^(1)+H_(1)^(1)\Rightarrow fuse \: to\: H_(1)^(2)+\beta`

Nuclear fission occurs in nature, although rarely. A classical example is the uranium fission, found out in Gabon, Africa.

2) According to modern spectometry the half life of Na 24 is ≈15h.

`N=N_(0)*e^(-t)\\Assuming \: N_(0)=100\%,\:e\cong 2.72\\N=1*2.72^(-15)\\`

3) There are more than 200 subatomic kinds of subatomic particles. There are 4 classes of subatomic particles: Quarks, Leptons, Gauge Bosons and Scalar bosons.

In the Nucleus there are protons and neutrons, and the electrons draw an elliptical curve. All these particles are held together by electrical charge.

A beta emission works either negative or positive, it is an emitted by a high speed electron or by a positron.

Answer 2

1) Nuclear fission is the process of breaking of one element to two smaller ones; on the other hand, fusion involves the joining of two smaller elements to form a larger one. Both process release large amounts of energy; however, fusion is harder to initiate than fission. Fusion takes place naturally in stars.
2) The half life of Na-24 is 14.9 hours.
24Na11 → 24Mg12 + β
3) A nucleus consists of protons and neutrons and is held together by residual stron force.
The neutron is composed of one up quark and two down quarks
The proton is composed of two up quarks and one down quark
Beta emission is the release of a high speed electron or positron.