IGCSE 74 Particles

EDEXCEL IGCSE / CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICS 7-4
Particles
Edexcel IGCSE Physics pages 226 to 231
August 21st 2012
All content applies for Triple & Double Science

Nuclear fission
Nuclear fission is the
splitting of an atomic
nucleus.
The process of nuclear

fission was discovered
in 1938 by Lise
Meitner, Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner Otto Hahn
Fritz Strassmann. 1878-1968 1879-1968
Fissile materials
A fissile material easily undergoes fission.
The mostly commonly used fissile material is uranium-

235.
When this undergoes fission two daughter nuclei are

produced that are called fission fragments.
The process also produces neutrons, gamma

radiation and a considerable amount of kinetic energy.
The fission of uranium-235
The fission of a nucleus uranium-235 can be initiated by
its absorption of a slow-moving neutron.
235 1 236
U + n U
92 0 92
Uranium-236 is very unstable and splits apart.
236 144 89 1 0
U Ba + Kr + 3 n + γ
92 56 36 0 0
fission fragments
barium-144 and krypton-89
Other fission examples
Other fission products can be produced. Their masses
usually have a roughly 3:2 ratio.
236 134 90 1 0
U Xe + Sr + 2 n + γ
92 54 38 0 0
fission products = xenon-134 and strontium-90
Plutonium-239 is also fissile.

239 137 89 1 0
Pu Cs + Y +3 n + γ
94 55 39 0 0
fission products = caesium-137 and yttrium-89
Fission equation questions
Complete the equations below:
236 137 97 1 0
U Cs + Rb + 2A n + γ
92 55 37
B Rubidium 0 0
239 149 88
C 1 0
Pu Ba + Sr + 2 n + γ
94 56 38
D 0 0
225
E 131 91 1 0
U I + Y +3 n + γ
92 53
F Iodine
39 0 0
This last example combines the uranium-235 neutron absorption
with the fission of uranium-236
Chain reaction
The fission of a nucleus of
Uranium-235 can be initiated
by a slow-moving neutron.
When this nucleus splits

further neutrons are
produced.
These neutrons in turn can

cause more nuclei to split.
An avalanche effect, called a

‘chain reaction’ can then
occur.
Nuclear fission reactors
A nuclear reactor is used to
produce substantial and
controllable energy from nuclear
fission.
The thermal energy produced is

used to convert water to high
pressure steam. top view of a nuclear
reactor
This steam is used to drive
turbines which rotate generators
to produce electricity.
Nuclear power plant
Structure
of a
reactor
What each part does
1. Uranium fuel rods
These contain enriched uranium. This consists
of uranium-238 with a higher proportion of
uranium-235 than is found in natural reserves
of uranium. The fuel rods become very hot and
dangerously radioactive due to nuclear fission.
2. Removable control rods

Made of boron or cadmium, when placed in- uranium fuel
between the fuel rods these absorb neutrons
and so reduce the rate of fission. Their depth is rods
adjusted to maintain a constant rate of fission.
3. Moderator (graphite core)

Made of graphite. This surrounds the fuel rods
and slows the neutrons down to make
absorption of neutrons by uranium-235 more
likely.
4. Coolant
This can be water, carbon dioxide
gas or liquid sodium. This transfers
the thermal energy of the fuel rods
to the heat exchanger.
5. Heat exchanger
Here water is converted into high
pressure steam using the heat
energy of the coolant.
reactor underneath
water coolant
6. Concrete shield
This absorbs the radiation coming
from the nuclear reactor.
Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:
Nuclear fission is the _________
splitting up of the nucleus of an atom
into two smaller nuclei. Energy, neutrons and _________
gamma
radiation are also emitted.
Nuclear ________
reactors use Uranium _____
235 or Plutonium _____to
239
produce energy by nuclear ________.
fission A controlled chain
reaction is maintained by the use of _______
control rods which
absorb some of the _________
neutrons produced.
An _______
atomic bomb is the consequence of an uncontrolled
chain reaction.
WORD SELECTION:
reactors gamma 239 atomic splitting
neutrons 235 fission control
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is the joining of two atomic
nuclei to form a larger one.
Hydrogen nuclei undergo fusion in stars to

make helium nuclei
Energy from fusion
Nuclear fusion is the It is also the energy
process by which source of the hydrogen
energy is released in bomb.
the Sun and other stars.
Nuclear fusion reactors
Scientists are currently
working to make nuclear
fusion reactors.
The fuel for fusion reactors

is the isotope hydrogen 2
(deuterium) which is found
in sea water.
An experimental fusion reactor in
Seatle USA
Online Simulations
Nuclear Fission - PhET - Start a chain reaction, or
introduce non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one. Control
energy production in a nuclear reactor!
Nuclear Fission - Powerpoint presentation by Richard
Miller of 5SJW (2005)
Nuclear Fission - Powerpoint presentation that includes a
link to the 'mousetrap' demonstration
Power Station Animation - eChalk
Managing a Nuclear Power Plant Simulation - by Henrik
Eriksson
BBC AQA GCSE Bitesize Revision:
Nuclear fission
Nuclear fusion
Particles
Notes questions from pages 226 to 231
1. Describe Geiger and Marsden’s alpha particle experiment (see
pages 227 and 228).
2. Explain how the alpha particle experiment supports Rutherford’s
nuclear model of the atom (see pages 227 and 228).
3. What is meant by (a) nuclear fission, (b) fission product and (c)
chain reaction. (see pages 228 and 229).
4. Give an example of an equation of the fission of uranium-235
(see page 229).
5. Draw a diagram showing the structure of a nuclear reactor (see
page 230).
6. Explain the function in a reactor of (a) control rods, (b) moderator
and (c) heat exchanger (see pages 229 and 230).
7. Answer the questions on page 231.

8. Verify that you can do all of the items listed in the end of chapter
checklist on page 231.

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EDEXCEL IGCSE / CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICS 7-4

All content applies for Triple & Double Science

The process of nuclear

The mostly commonly used fissile material is uranium-

When this undergoes fission two daughter nuclei are

The process also produces neutrons, gamma

Plutonium-239 is also fissile.

When this nucleus splits

These neutrons in turn can

An avalanche effect, called a

The thermal energy produced is

2. Removable control rods

3. Moderator (graphite core)

Hydrogen nuclei undergo fusion in stars to

The fuel for fusion reactors

7. Answer the questions on page 231.

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