"Induced" Nuclear Reaction? Give Two Common Examples

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Day 1: Types of Radiation Use this Radioactive Decay webpage to answer the following questions. 1. What is radioactive decay? 2. What is an "induced" nuclear reaction? Give two common examples. 3. What are phosphorescent materials 4. Who was the first to discover that exposure to X-rays could produce burns to the skin? 5. Who was the first to demonstrate the genetic effects of radiation? 6. The decay chain of Uranium-238 ends with what stable nuclide? 7. Radioactive carbon-14 is constantly being produced today. How does this happen? 8. Define "half life" and give the symbol used for it. Day 2: Nuclear Fission Use this Nuclear Fission webpage to answer the following questions. 1. What are the two most common nuclear fuels? 2. Nuclear fuels are bombarded by what particles to induce their fission? 3. Why do heavy elements nuclei contain proportionally more neutrons than light element nuclei? 4. What does it mean if an isotope is "fissionable"? 5. What does it mean if an isotope is "fissile"? 6. How is the number of neutrons in an "assembly" involved in creating a "sustained nuclear chain reaction"? 7. Define "critical mass"? 8. What is a "breeder reactor"? 9. What is a "power reactor"? Day 3: Nuclear Fusion Use this Nuclear Fusion webpage to answer the following questions. 1. What happens when two nuclei lighter than iron are fused? 2. What happens when two nuclei heavier than iron are fused? 3. Who first observed the fusion of light nuclei and in what year? 4. The collision of two nuclei to produce nuclear fusion produced a LOT of energy. There is only one type of collision that is known to produce more energy. What is it? 5. The strong nuclear force can easily overcome the electrostatic force that pushes like charges apart. So why is so much energy needed to bring to positive nuclei together to fuse? 6. Gravity is a force strong enough to confine fusion fuels close enough for ignition. Why can't we make a fusion reactor using gravity? 7. The "proton-proton chain" produces most of the energy in stars the size of our Sun and smaller. What particles fuse in this reaction? 8. What is produced by the proton-proton chain? .
Recommended publications
  • Compilation and Evaluation of Fission Yield Nuclear Data Iaea, Vienna, 2000 Iaea-Tecdoc-1168 Issn 1011–4289
    IAEA-TECDOC-1168 Compilation and evaluation of fission yield nuclear data Final report of a co-ordinated research project 1991–1996 December 2000 The originating Section of this publication in the IAEA was: Nuclear Data Section International Atomic Energy Agency Wagramer Strasse 5 P.O. Box 100 A-1400 Vienna, Austria COMPILATION AND EVALUATION OF FISSION YIELD NUCLEAR DATA IAEA, VIENNA, 2000 IAEA-TECDOC-1168 ISSN 1011–4289 © IAEA, 2000 Printed by the IAEA in Austria December 2000 FOREWORD Fission product yields are required at several stages of the nuclear fuel cycle and are therefore included in all large international data files for reactor calculations and related applications. Such files are maintained and disseminated by the Nuclear Data Section of the IAEA as a member of an international data centres network. Users of these data are from the fields of reactor design and operation, waste management and nuclear materials safeguards, all of which are essential parts of the IAEA programme. In the 1980s, the number of measured fission yields increased so drastically that the manpower available for evaluating them to meet specific user needs was insufficient. To cope with this task, it was concluded in several meetings on fission product nuclear data, some of them convened by the IAEA, that international co-operation was required, and an IAEA co-ordinated research project (CRP) was recommended. This recommendation was endorsed by the International Nuclear Data Committee, an advisory body for the nuclear data programme of the IAEA. As a consequence, the CRP on the Compilation and Evaluation of Fission Yield Nuclear Data was initiated in 1991, after its scope, objectives and tasks had been defined by a preparatory meeting.
    [Show full text]
  • Arxiv:1901.01410V3 [Astro-Ph.HE] 1 Feb 2021 Mental Information Is Available, and One Has to Rely Strongly on Theoretical Predictions for Nuclear Properties
    Origin of the heaviest elements: The rapid neutron-capture process John J. Cowan∗ HLD Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, 440 W. Brooks St., Norman, OK 73019, USA Christopher Snedeny Department of Astronomy, University of Texas, 2515 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712-1205, USA James E. Lawlerz Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706-1390, USA Ani Aprahamianx and Michael Wiescher{ Department of Physics and Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics, University of Notre Dame, 225 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA Karlheinz Langanke∗∗ GSI Helmholtzzentrum f¨urSchwerionenforschung, Planckstraße 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany and Institut f¨urKernphysik (Theoriezentrum), Fachbereich Physik, Technische Universit¨atDarmstadt, Schlossgartenstraße 2, 64298 Darmstadt, Germany Gabriel Mart´ınez-Pinedoyy GSI Helmholtzzentrum f¨urSchwerionenforschung, Planckstraße 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany; Institut f¨urKernphysik (Theoriezentrum), Fachbereich Physik, Technische Universit¨atDarmstadt, Schlossgartenstraße 2, 64298 Darmstadt, Germany; and Helmholtz Forschungsakademie Hessen f¨urFAIR, GSI Helmholtzzentrum f¨urSchwerionenforschung, Planckstraße 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany Friedrich-Karl Thielemannzz Department of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, 4056 Basel, Switzerland and GSI Helmholtzzentrum f¨urSchwerionenforschung, Planckstraße 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany (Dated: February 2, 2021) The production of about half of the heavy elements found in nature is assigned to a spe- cific astrophysical nucleosynthesis process: the rapid neutron capture process (r-process). Although this idea has been postulated more than six decades ago, the full understand- ing faces two types of uncertainties/open questions: (a) The nucleosynthesis path in the nuclear chart runs close to the neutron-drip line, where presently only limited experi- arXiv:1901.01410v3 [astro-ph.HE] 1 Feb 2021 mental information is available, and one has to rely strongly on theoretical predictions for nuclear properties.
    [Show full text]
  • Alpha-Decay Chains of Z=122 Superheavy Nuclei Using Cubic Plus Proximity Potential with Improved Transfer Matrix Method
    Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Physics Vol. 58, May 2020, pp. 397-403 Alpha-decay chains of Z=122 superheavy nuclei using cubic plus proximity potential with improved transfer matrix method G Naveyaa, S Santhosh Kumarb, S I A Philominrajc & A Stephena* aDepartment of Nuclear Physics, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025, India bDepartment of Physics, Kanchi Mamunivar Centre for Post Graduate Studies, Lawspet, Puducherry 605 008, India cDepartment of Physics, Madras Christian College, Chennai 600 059, India Received 4 May 2020 The alpha decay chain properties of Z = 122 isotope in the mass range 298 A 350, even-even nuclei, are studied using a fission-like model with an effective combination of the cubic plus proximity potential in the pre and post-scission regions, wherein the decay rates are calculated using improved transfer matrix method, and the results are in good agreement with other phenomenological formulae such as Universal decay law, Viola-Seaborg, Royer, etc. The nuclear ground-state masses are taken from WS4 mass model. The next minimum in the half-life curves of the decay chain obtained at N=186,178 & 164 suggest the shell closure at N=184, 176 & 162 which coincides well with the predictions of two-centre shell model approach. This study also unveils that the isotopes 298-300, 302, 304-306, 308-310, 312,314122 show 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 decay chain, respectively. All the other isotopes from A = 316 to 350 may undergo spontaneous fission since the obtained SF half -lives are comparatively less. The predictions in the present study may have an impact in the experimental synthesis and detection of the new isotopes in near future.
    [Show full text]
  • Isotopic Composition of Fission Gases in Lwr Fuel
    XA0056233 ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF FISSION GASES IN LWR FUEL T. JONSSON Studsvik Nuclear AB, Hot Cell Laboratory, Nykoping, Sweden Abstract Many fuel rods from power reactors and test reactors have been punctured during past years for determination of fission gas release. In many cases the released gas was also analysed by mass spectrometry. The isotopic composition shows systematic variations between different rods, which are much larger than the uncertainties in the analysis. This paper discusses some possibilities and problems with use of the isotopic composition to decide from which part of the fuel the gas was released. In high burnup fuel from thermal reactors loaded with uranium fuel a significant part of the fissions occur in plutonium isotopes. The ratio Xe/Kr generated in the fuel is strongly dependent on the fissioning species. In addition, the isotopic composition of Kr and Xe shows a well detectable difference between fissions in different fissile nuclides. 1. INTRODUCTION Most LWRs use low enriched uranium oxide as fuel. Thermal fissions in U-235 dominate during the earlier part of the irradiation. Due to the build-up of heavier actinides during the irradiation fissions in Pu-239 and Pu-241 increase in importance as the burnup of the fuel increases. The composition of the fission products varies with the composition of the fuel and the irradiation conditions. The isotopic composition of fission gases is often determined in connection with measurement of gases in the plenum of punctured fuel rods. It can be of interest to discuss how more information on the fuel behaviour can be obtained by use of information available from already performed determinations of gas compositions.
    [Show full text]
  • Lanthanide Production in R-Process Nucleosynthesis
    Fission and lanthanide production in r-process nucleosynthesis Nicole Vassh University of Notre Dame FRIB and the GW170817 Kilonova, MSU Fission In R-process Elements 7/18/18 McCutchan and Sonzogni Vogt and Schunck Vassh and Surman McLaughlin and Zhu Mumpower, Jaffke, Verriere, Kawano, Talou, and Hayes-Sterbenz r-process sites within a Neutron Star Merger Accretion disk winds – Hot, shocked exact driving mechanism material and neutron richness varies Very n-rich cold, tidal outflows Foucart et al (2016) Owen and Blondin Observed Solar r-process Residuals Rare-Earth Peak Depending on the conditions, the r-process can produce: • Poor metals (Sn,…) • Lanthanides (Nd, Eu,…) • Transition metals (Ag, Pt, Au,…) • Actinides (U,Th,…) Arnould, Goriely and Takahashi (2007) r-process Sensitivity to Mass Model and Fission Yields § 10 mass models: DZ33, FRDM95, FRDM12, WS3, KTUY, HFB17, HFB21, HFB24, SLY4, UNEDF0 § N-rich dynamical ejecta conditions: Cold (Just 2015), Reheating (Mendoza-Temis 2015) Kodama & Takahashi (1975) Symmetric 50/50 Split Côté et al (2018) GW170817 and r-process uncertainties from nuclear physics When nuclear physics From GCE uncertainties are using considered Solar Data Côté, Fryer, Belczynski, Korobkin, Chruślińska, Vassh, Mumpower, Lippuner, Sprouse, Surman and Wollaeger (ApJ 855, 2, 2018) GW170817 and NSM production of r-process nuclei Much like supernova light curves are powered by the decay chain of 56Ni, kilonovae are also powered by radioactive decays The kilonova observed following GW170817 suggested the production r-process material (lanthanides) There was no clear signature of the presence of the heaviest, fissioning nuclei (actinides) GW170817 and NSM production of r-process nuclei Much like supernova light curves are powered by the decay chain of 56Ni, kilonovae are also powered by radioactive decays The kilonova observed following GW170817 suggested the production r-process material (lanthanides) There was no clear signature of the presence of the heaviest, fissioning nuclei (actinides) (See also: Baade et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Binding Energy of the Mother Nucleus Is Lower Than That of the Daughter Nucleus
    Chapter 1 Learning Objectives • Historical Recap • Understand the different length scales of nuclear physics • Know the nomenclature for isotopes and nuclear reactions • Know the different types of neutron nuclear collisions and their relationship to each other • Basic principles of nuclear reactor Learning Objectives • Neutron Sources • Basic Principles of Nuclear Reactor • Bindinggg energyy curve • Liquid drop model • Fission Reaction • ODE Review • Radioactive Decay • Decay Chains • Chart of Nuclides Historical Recap • Driscoll handout • New programs – GNEP/AFCI – Gen-IV – Nuclear Power 2010 Why nuclear? • Power density – 1000 MW electric • 10 000 tons o f coal per DAY!! • 20 tons of uranium per YEAR (of which only 1 ton is U -235) A typical pellet of uranium weighs about 7 grams (0.24ounces). It can generate as much energy as…… 3.5 barrels of oil or…… 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas, or….. 1,780 pounds of coal. Why nuclear? • Why still use coal – Capital cost – Politics – Public perception of nuclear, nuclear waster issue What do you think is the biggest barrier to constructing the next U.S. nuclear power plant? 50% 40% 30% 20% 44% 10% 16% 15% 14% 0% 10% - 2008 survey of Political Nuclear Waste Cost of Fear of Other Resistance to Disposal Nuclear Nuclear energy professionals Nuclear Energy Issues Power Plant Accident Construction Image by MIT OpenCourseWare. “Eighty-two percent of Americans living in close proximity to nuclear power plants favor nuclear energy, and 71 percent are willing to see a new reactor built near them, according to a new public opinion survey of more than 1,100 adults nationwide.”– NEI, September 2007 Basic Principles ofof Nuclear Reactor • Simple device – Fissioning fuel releases energy in the “core” – Heat isis transported away by a coolant which couples the heat source to a Rankine steam cycle – Very similar to a coal plant, with the exception of the combustion process – Main complication arises from the spent fuel, a mix of over 300 fission products Public domain image from wikipedia.
    [Show full text]
  • Radioactive Decay Chains OBJECTIVE: Grade: 8-12
    Radioactive Decay Chains OBJECTIVE: Grade: 8-12 Students will understand Intended Learning Outcomes: that the radioactive Make predictions decay chains define the Use a model to demonstrate understanding number and type of Understand science concepts and principles particles emitted by the differing isotopes of Subject: Math, Physics, Science atoms. Students will be able to demonstrate the Materials: changes that occur in Journal or other method for recording results the nucleus of the atom Decay chain chart (attached) as they decay into more stable atoms. Teaching Time: 15-20 minutes for the demonstration 10-15 minutes for the discussion and analysis Number of Players/Students: 4-30 students, split into groups of 4-5 Teacher Information: Most nuclei decay by the emission of electrons (betas) or alphas. Each of these decays changes the number of neutrons and protons in the nucleus, thus creating a new element. The nucleus resulting from the decay of a ‘parent’ is often called the ‘daughter’. Using simple mathematics (addition and subtraction) the identity of the daughter nucleus can easily be determined. 4 Alphas (2 neutrons, 2 protons) 2 He 0 Betas (1 electron) -1 e So if Bismuth-214 beta decays and then alpha decays, the equations would look like: 214 0 214 4 210 83 Bi -1 e + 84 Po 2 He + 82 Pb So the daughter of Bi-214 by beta decay has an atomic number of 84 which is Polonium, Po, and the daughter of Po-214 by alpha decay has an atomic number of 82, which is Lead, Pb. Thus, we can write an equation that identifies the daughters in a long decay chain.
    [Show full text]
  • Decay Chains
    teacher guide Nuclear reactions 4: Decay chains Components NAME DESCRIPTION AUDIENCE Decay chains This guide provides a framework for student use of the teachers Decay chain explorer. teachers guide Decay chain explorer This learning object contains three interactive activities. In students the first activity students build decay chains of radioactive learning object isotopes from their decay modes. The second looks at complete decay chains. The third investigates two uranium- lead decay series in detail. Investigating decay chains This student worksheet provides a framework for use of the students three interactive activities in Decay chain explorer. worksheet Purpose Outcomes To Explore and Explain radioactive decay. Students: • explain nuclear decay; • explain nuclear decay rate and half-life for different radioisotopes; • explain radioactive decay series using a range of radioisotopes; • describe the relationship between parent and daughter isotopes; and • understand that simulations are a legitimate alternative to actual laboratory experiences. Activity summary ACTIVITY POSSIBLE STRATEGY Students explore and use the interactive learning object, Decay chain individually, in pairs or as whole class explorer, to complete a three-part worksheet. activity The completed worksheets are discussed. teacher-led discussion Technical requirements Decay chain explorer The learning object requires Adobe Flash Player Decay chain explorer is a learning object that version 8 or later (this is a free download from investigates natural and artificial decay chains formed www.adobe.com). by radioactive elements. The learning object includes three separate activities: The teachers guide and worksheet require Adobe Reader (version 5 or later), which is a free download • Decay chain builder from www.adobe.com. The worksheets is also • Decay chain explorer available in Microsoft Word format.
    [Show full text]
  • The Meson Bond Barrier to Nuclear Fission
    AU0524285 The Meson Bond Barrier to Nuclear Fission PETER NORMAN Moaash University, Victoria pnormanraj surf. net. au SUMMARY. The Coulomb barrier to nuclear fusion is sometimes described as a barrier to nuclear fission. In tliis paper it will be shown that it is more meaningfiil to describe the repulsive Coulomb force between the daughters of fission as the cause of fission rather than a barrier. In fact it is this force which breaks the meson bonds between the daughters and imparts kinetic energy to them. This process may therefore be described as a quantum jump ratheT than a 'tunneling'. The Bemal liquid drop layered alpha particle model of a heavy nucleus shows that the sixth layer of alpha particles is not closed and is inherently unstable. This nucleus therefore either gradually decays by radiating alpha and beta particles until most of the sixth layer has been shed or it undergoes spontaneous fission to form a heavy daughter rarely containing less than four closed layers and a lighter daughter never containing less than three closed layers. It will be shown how each alpha decay involves the breaking of five or six meson bonds and each spontaneous fission breaks about thirty bonds. 1. Introduction way. Because of isospin it is assume that 6 equal The underlying nuclear structure of heavy elements meson bonds strongly bind the 2 protons and 2 may be visualized as 6 concentric layers of alpha neutrons of a 4He nucleus (alpha particle) into a particles. This structure is based on Bemal's [1] model tetrahedral structure. The total meson bond energy, of a drop of a monatomic liquid in which hard spheres E.,,.
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclidenavigator-Pro V4.1 Interactive Chart of the Nuclides and Reference Software Nuclidenavigator-Pro V4.1
    NuclideNavigator-Pro V4.1 Interactive Chart of the Nuclides and Reference Software NuclideNavigator-Pro V4.1 NuclideNavigator-Pro is an invaluable resource for nuclear decay and emissions data. The PRO version is a major upgrade to the original NuclideNavigator with notable differences outlined in the table below. Key features of NuclideNavigator-Pro include: • Windows 10 compatible. • Master data libraries composed of data from reputable sources. • Chart of the Nuclides with detailed nuclide and elemental emissions data, a variety of different views, and powerful search capabilities. • Library Manager to build gamma spectroscopy libraries for use in ORTEC’s Gamma Spectroscopy applications, such as GammaVision. • Synthetic spectra for nuclides and decay chain emissions. • Periodic Table of the Elements with elemental properties. • Units Converter application for most common measurement units. • Extensive Nuclide Decay Scheme documentation and calculations. NuclideNavigator-Pro vs. NuclideNavigator NuclideNavigator-Pro NuclideNavigator Original Master Library Content Most Recent Reference Data 2016 2001 Chart of the Nuclides SQLite (NN-Pro Standard) MS Access (NN3 Standard) Master Library File Formats MS Access (NN3 Standard) GammaVision (.LIB) General Electric Chart Format Karlsruhe General Electric TriLinear Nuclide Generation Processes Nuclide Generation Processes Energy range Peak Search Criteria Energy range Nuclide Half-Life Nuclide Half-Life Prompt Gamma Search Nuclide Synthetic Spectra Yes No Elemental Properties Yes No Nuclide
    [Show full text]
  • Meson Bonds and Radioactive Decay
    AU0221624 Meson Bonds and Radioactive Decay PETER NORMAN Monash University, Vic. [email protected] SUMMARY. The Bernal liquid drop alpha particle model of a heavy nucleus shows that the fifth layer of alpha particles is not closed and is inherently unstable so that the nucleus gradually decays by radiating alpha and beta particles until most of the fifth layer has been shed. It will be shown how alpha decay may be construed as the release of repulsive Coulomb energy that breaks six meson bonds and imparts kinetic energy to the alpha particle. In this way the alpha particle 'tunnels' through ttie Coulomb barrier. By contrast, in beta decay energy is released when a neutron decays into a proton and electron at the same time as four new meson bonds are formed. Together these two sources of energy balance the additional repulsive Coulomb energy generated by the new proton in the daughter nucleus and impart kinetic energy to the beta particle and anti-neutrino 1. Introduction virtual mesons then lhe meson bond (MB) energy may be calculated in the following way. Assume that 6 The underlying nuclear structure of heavy elements equal meson bonds strongly bind the 2 protons and 2 may be visualized as 5 concentric layers of alpha neutrons of a He4 nucleus (alpha particle) into a particles. This structure is an extension of layered tetrahedral structure. The total meson bond energy, alpha particle models of common nuclei based on Em, of the He4 nucleus is defined as the empirically Bemal's (1) model of a drop of a monatomic liquid in determined binding energy, Eb, of this nucleus which hard spheres representing atoms are densely corrected for the Coulomb repulsive energy, Ec, so packed.
    [Show full text]
  • Measurement of Cumulative Photofission Yields of 235U and 238U with a 16 Mev Bremsstrahlung Photon Beam Manon Delarue, E
    Measurement of cumulative photofission yields of 235U and 238U with a 16 MeV Bremsstrahlung photon beam Manon Delarue, E. Simon, B. Pérot, P.G. Allinei, N. Estre, E. Payan, D. Eck, D. Tisseur, Isabelle Espagnon, J. Collot To cite this version: Manon Delarue, E. Simon, B. Pérot, P.G. Allinei, N. Estre, et al.. Measurement of cumulative photofission yields of 235U and 238U with a 16 MeV Bremsstrahlung photon beam. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Elsevier, 2021, 1011, pp.165598. 10.1016/j.nima.2021.165598. cea-03276202 HAL Id: cea-03276202 https://hal-cea.archives-ouvertes.fr/cea-03276202 Submitted on 1 Jul 2021 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Journal Pre-proof Measurement of cumulative photofission yields of 235U and 238U with a 16 MeV Bremsstrahlung photon beam M. Delarue, E. Simon, B. Pérot, P.G. Allinei, N. Estre, E. Payan, D. Eck, D. Tisseur, I. Espagnon, J. Collot PII: S0168-9002(21)00583-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2021.165598 Reference: NIMA 165598 To appear in: Nuclear Inst.
    [Show full text]