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Question 1
This question is about the fission of uranium-235. |
a) | Explain the process of nuclear fission.
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b) | The diagram shows a nuclear fission reactor. Label the following parts on the diagram:
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Question 2
This question is about nuclear fusion. |
a) | Explain the process of nuclear fusion.
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b) | State the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion to occur.
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c) | Explain why these conditions are needed for fusion to occur.
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Question 3
Scientists at Joint European Torus (JET) are trying to reproduce nuclear fusion on earth for electricity production. |
a) | Explain why nuclear fusion is more desireable than nuclear fission.
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b) | It is difficult to achieve nuclear fusion on earth. State the conditions required for nuclear fusion to occur.
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c) | Nuclear fusion naturally occurs in stars. Describe what happens during nuclear fusion.
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Question 4
This question is about the fission of uranium. |
a) | Use words from the box above to complete the sentences below. A is absorbed by a nucleus of uranium-235 causing the nucleus to split. Fission releases two daughter nuclei and several . The neutrons released can go on to be absorbed by other uranium nuclei. This is known as a reaction. The reactor is shielded by to absorb harmful radiation released. The absorbs excess neutrons to control the rate of fission. The moderator is made from . neutron neutrons chain concrete control rods water
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Question 5
Nuclear fusion takes place in stars, producing huge amounts of energy. During a single fusion reaction, deuterium fuses with tritium to form helium and a neutron. |
a) | Complete the nuclear equation for this process.
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b) | Explain why it is difficult to replicate the nuclear fusion of hydrogen on Earth.
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c) | Nuclear fission is widely used in nuclear power stations. Compare the similarities and differences between nuclear fission and fusion.
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Question 6
The diagram below shows a nuclear fission reactor. |
a) | Complete the table below to show the purpose and material of each part of the nuclear reactor.
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b) | It is important to monitor the rate of fission to prevent dangerously high pressures and temperatures in the reactor vessel. Describe how the rate of fission can be reduced using a nuclear reactor.
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c) | The nuclear fission reactor relies on the chain reaction of the nuclear fission of uranium-235. Describe what is meant by a chain reaction.
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Question 7
This question is about nuclear fission power stations. When U-235 absorbs a neutron, it becomes U-236, an isotope of uranium. |
a) | State what is meant by the term isotope.
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b) | Calculate the number of neutrons in 92235​U.
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The equation below shows a possible nuclear fission reaction. |
c) | Calculate the number of neutrons released by this fission reaction.
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d) | Some of the isotopes produced from the fission of uranium are highly radioactive. Discuss how radioactive waste is disposed of and potential concerns.
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e) | One of the radioactive isotopes produced in a nuclear fission reactor is iodine-129. Iodine-129 has a half-life of approximately 15 million years. A sample of Iodine-129 has an activity of 96 kBq. Calculate how long it would take for the activity of the sample to drop to 3 kBq.
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Question 8
a) | This question is about nuclear fission and fusion. Sort the statements below. Tick one box for each row.
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b) | Describe an advantages and a disadvantage of using nuclear fission power stations compared to coal-fired power stations.
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c) | Nuclear fission reactors are surrounded by thick concrete shielding. Suggest why.
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Question 9
This question is about energy sources and their efficiencies. A nuclear power station converts 35% of the energy from nuclear fission into energy which is transferred electrically through the National Grid. Fission reactions release 1000 MJ per second. |
a) | Calculate the power of the energy distributed.
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b) | During peak demand the fission reactor is required to provide a higher output. Explain with reference to the parts of the nuclear reactor how the rate of fission could be increased to provide a higher output power.
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c) | The required output is 700 MW. The nuclear fission power station converts 35% of the energy from fission into useful energy for transmission. Calculate the energy released by fission reactions per second to meet this demand.
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d) | State two disadvantages of using nuclear fission power stations compared to solar farms.
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e) | State two advantages of using a solar panel farm compared to a coal-fired power station.
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Question 10
Uranium-235 is used as a source of fissionable fuel for nuclear power stations. |
a) | Describe the process of nuclear fission.
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b) | One possible pathway is for uranium to split into krypton and barium. Complete the missing numbers in the equation for the fission of uranium.
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c) | Describe the purpose of the moderator in a nuclear fission power station.
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