Tim Meier Science Notes 2

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Alpha

Particles (Symbol: α )

·

Composed of: 2 Neutrons and 2 Protons

·

Penetrating power is:

blocked by paper

When a radioactive element

releases an alpha particle the mass…decreases and the element changes…into a new

particle.

Beta Particles (Symbol: β)

·

It is composed of: an Electron

·

When a nucleus releases a beta particle it is

because: a neutron

decays and becomes a proton and the electrons out too.

·

Beta particles can penetrate up to: 1 cm of plastic

·

Mass can be: converted into

energy and energy into mass.

·

The amount of energy: is tremendous

·

Energy = mass x speed of light2 (E= mc2)

·

Speed of light = 3 x 108 m/secà C

·

A small amount of matter is converted: into a lot of

energy when nuclear reactions occur.

·

Fission is a nuclear reaction that: splits the atom

·

Some fission reactions can produce: chain reaction,

one reaction after another

It takes place

because it sends out new neutrons/ then start a new reaction

The fission of U-235

·

During the fission of U-235 a neutron: hits the atom causing the atom to split into two smaller

atoms releasing three more neutrons, causing those neutrons to hit atoms and

split them causing a chain reaction.

· The

heat energy from the fission reaction: comes from the reactor Core sending it to the Steam

Generator causing it to evaporate sending the evaporation to the turbine and

continuing to the generator creating electricity.

·

An explosive like TNT pushes: sub

Fusion

joins: atomic nuclei together

Fusion is

what occurs on: sun

and all the stars

To set off a fusion bomb you need a: Fission bomb because you need a lot of heat

and high pressure.

good

things about using fusion for power are:

ü

It doesn’t produce Carbon Dioxide so it can not deal with

the Greenhouse Effect

ü

You will not have pollutionà Stops lung cancer, and respiratory problems

ü

No radioactive waste created à water bins

ü

Creates Helium

ü

Reduces the need for coalà coal mining is a destructive thing to the Earths Surface

and very dangerous

ü

Prevents Oil Spills

ü

Tremendous amount of energy from fusion (SO MUCH HEAT)

ü

Can create hydrogen and have as much fuel as you would ever

need.

The

problem with fusion is:

ü

The temperature has

to be hotter than the sun and causes more energy than what we would be getting

back.

ü

Have to contain the

plasma without it touching anything because it will then become cool when

something comes in contact with it.

At

extremely high temperatures fusion can form: carbonà

you can find in stars when they are supernova. And all the other elements

Besides

producing: Helium

when stars go supernova they produce: carbon and all

other elements