Nuclear Power
How it works.
What do you need to know about Nuclear Chemistry?
- Radioactivity-Radiation resulting from radioactive decay.
- Half-Life-The half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay.*(N=No(1/2)^n)
*N=the remaining amount
No=the initial amount
n=the number of half-lives that have passed.
- Fusion-The process of binding smaller atomic nuclei into a single,larger, more stable nucleus.(i.e, the sun)
- Fission-the splitting of nucleus into a smaller more stable fragments with a large release of energy.(i.e nuclear power plants)
Types of radioactive decay
Alpha- The nucleus ejects an alpha particle which is made of 2 neutrons and 2 protons*(Identical to the nucleus of a helium atom). Alpha particles can be stopped by a sheet of paper.This is the least dangerous type.
Beta- a beta particle is a high energy electron; it has more energy than an alpha particle. a beta particle.A beta particle can be stopped by aluminum foil.There are three types of beta decay:
- Regular beta
- Reverse beta
- Electron beta
Gamma- Gamma rays are high energy x-rays.They can be stopped by led.Gamma rays have a lot of energy and are very harmful to living cells.
What is Nuclear Energy?
How does it work?
When the nucleus of a large atom is split apart, or when two small nuclei are joined together, nuclear energy is given out.
Where is it used?
Mostly used in nuclear power plants, where fission is used.