L-8 Chapter-18 Physics-10 Mushtaq Ahmed M.Sc. Physics.

NUCLEAR FUSION
When two light nuclei combine to form a heavier

nucleus, the process is called nuclear fusion.
The mass of the final nucleus is always less than the
masses of the original nuclei. According to mass-
energy relation this loss of mass converts into
energy. If an atom of Deuterium is fused with an
atom of Tritium, then a Helium nucleus or alpha
particle is formed as given by
Pictorially fusion reaction is shown in the following figure:
1. Energy coming from the Sun and stars is supposed to be
the result of fusion of hydrogen nuclei into Helium
nucleus with release of energy.
2. The temperature at the centre of the Sun is nearly 20
million kelvin which makes the fusion favourable.
3. According to this reaction, four hydrogen nuclei fuse
together to form a helium nucleus along with 25.7 MeV
of Energy.
HAZARDS OF RADIATIONS AND SAFETY
MEASURES
Although, radiations are very useful in medicine, agriculture
and industry, they can also cause considerable damage if not
used with precautions. Radioactive, nuclear materials are
now widely used in nuclear power plants, nuclear-powered
submarines, intercontinental ballistic missiles etc. Some of
the harmful effects on human beings due to large doses or
prolonged small doses of radiations are:
1. Radiation burns, mainly due to beta and gamma radiations,
which may cause redness and sores on the skin.
2. Sterility ( i.e., inability to produce children).
3. Genetic mutations in both human and plants.
Some children are born with serious deformities.
4. Leukemia (cancer of the blood cells).
5. Blindness or formation of cataract in the eye.
6. During the nuclear accident at Chernobyl,
Russia, the explosion of the nuclear reactors
melted through a few metres thick concrete
housing.
This caused a massive destruction of local
community and also contaminated vegetation
and livestock in the large surrounding area.
Millions of dollars were lost as the
contaminated vegetable and livestock had to be
destroyed.
safety precautions
1. The sources should only be handled with tongs and
forceps.
2. The user should use rubber gloves and hands
should be washed carefully after the experiment.
3. All radioactive sources should be stored in thick
lead containers.
4. Never point a radioactive source towards a person.
5. Frequent visits to the radiation sensitive areas
should be avoided.
SUMMARY
• There are two parts of an atom. Its central part is called the nucleus which
contains neutrons and protons called nucleons. The nucleus is positively
charged and electrons revolve around it in nearly circular orbits.
• The number of protons present inside a nucleus is called the charge number or
the atomic number and is denoted by the letter Z.
• The sum of neutrons and protons present in a nucleus is called its atomic mass
number. It is denoted by the letter A.
• The atoms of same element with same atomic number but different atomic
mass
number are called isotopes.
• The elements whose atomic number is greater than 82 are unstable. The
process of decaying such elements into daughter elements is called natural
radioactivity and such elements are called radioactive elements.
• Radioactivity is a random process which does not depend on space and time.
 The time during which the atoms of a radioactive element are reduced to one half
is called the half-life of that element.
 Background radiations are caused by some radioactive elements present in
rocks, soil and water.
 A process in which nucleus of an unstable heavy element breaks into two
nuclei of lighter elements with the emission of radiation is called nuclear transmutation.
 The isotopes which emit radiations are called radioactive isotopes. They are
used in medicine, agriculture and industry for a variety of purposes.
 The age of a dead human, animal or tree can be estimated by comparing the
activity of carbon-14 in the live and dead tree. The technique is called carbon dating.
 A process in which a heavy nucleus breaks into two nearly equal parts with the
release of large energy is called nuclear fission.
 A process in which  two light nuclei diffuse to form a heavier nucleus with
release of enormous amount of energy is called fusion reaction.

L-8 Chapter-18 Physics-10 Mushtaq Ahmed M.Sc. Physics.

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

L-8 Chapter-18 Physics-10 Mushtaq Ahmed M.Sc. Physics.

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

L-8 Chapter-18 Physics-10 Mushtaq Ahmed M.Sc. Physics.

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NUCLEAR FUSION

When two light nuclei combine to form a heavier

You might also like