Gr 9 NATURAL SCIENCES: CH 3.6 Nuclear power in South Africa
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary process used to generate electricity in a nuclear power station?

  • Nuclear reaction
  • Radioactive decay
  • Nuclear fusion
  • Nuclear fission (correct)

    • What is the term for the process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei?

  • Nuclear fusion
  • Nuclear fission (correct)
  • Radioactive decay
  • Nuclear reaction

    • What is the byproduct of nuclear fission?

  • Energy and radiation (correct)
  • Energy and heat
  • Energy and water
  • Energy and gas

    • What is the term for the spontaneous emission of particles from unstable atomic nuclei?

    <p>Radioactive decay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the commercial nuclear power station located in Cape Town?

    <p>Koeberg Power Station</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the energy produced from controlled nuclear reactions?

    <p>Nuclear power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus?

    <p>Nuclear fusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the center of an atom called?

    <p>Nucleus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When did nuclear power become feasible for electricity generation?

    <p>Early 20th century</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of radioactive?

    <p>Emitting radiation as a result of the decay of atomic nuclei</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary fuel used in nuclear power stations?

    <p>Uranium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

    <p>To regulate the fission process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the steam generator in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>To boil water and produce steam</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main advantage of nuclear power in terms of energy production?

    <p>High energy density</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major disadvantage of nuclear power?

    <p>Radioactive waste</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the cooling system in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>To ensure the reactor and other components remain at safe operating temperatures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the consequence of the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster in 2011?

    <p>A release of radiation and a partial meltdown</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the containment structure in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>To prevent radiation leakage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of nuclear power plants compared to some renewable energy sources?

    <p>Reliability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a safety measure in nuclear power plants?

    <p>Continuous monitoring and safety protocols</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why uranium is used as the primary fuel in nuclear power stations?

    <p>Its ability to undergo fission and slow radioactive decay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the turbine in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>To generate electricity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major advantage of nuclear power generation compared to fossil fuels?

    <p>Lower greenhouse gas emissions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major challenge associated with nuclear power?

    <p>Radioactive waste disposal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the containment structure in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>To prevent radiation leakage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of nuclear power plants compared to some renewable energy sources?

    <p>Reliability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the consequence of the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster in 2011?

    <p>A partial meltdown and release of radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of monitoring in nuclear power plants?

    <p>To protect workers and the environment from radiation exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the fuel used in nuclear power stations?

    <p>High energy density</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the cooling system in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>To ensure safe operating temperatures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during the process of nuclear fission?

    <p>A heavy atomic nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a nuclear power station?

    <p>To harness the energy from nuclear fission to produce electricity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of radioactive decay?

    <p>The transformation of an unstable nucleus into a different element</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did researchers find nuclear power to be practical for electricity generation?

    <p>Because the discovery of nuclear fission made it possible to harness energy from radioactive materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main component of an atom that determines its identity?

    <p>Protons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the energy released from the decay of atomic nuclei?

    <p>Radioactive energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the nucleus in an atom?

    <p>To contain protons and neutrons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of unstable atomic nuclei?

    <p>They spontaneously emit particles, releasing radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the discovery of nuclear fission in the 1930s?

    <p>It made nuclear power practical for electricity generation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of protons in an atom?

    <p>To determine the identity of an element</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why uranium is used as the primary fuel in nuclear power stations?

    <p>Its slow radioactive decay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the containment structure in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>To prevent radiation leakage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major challenge associated with nuclear power?

    <p>Radioactive waste disposal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of nuclear power compared to fossil fuels?

    <p>Minimal greenhouse gas emissions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the turbine in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>To drive the generator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a nuclear meltdown?

    <p>A release of radioactive materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of monitoring in nuclear power plants?

    <p>To detect radiation leaks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of nuclear fuel?

    <p>High energy density</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of not having a cooling system in a nuclear power plant?

    <p>Uncontrolled fission reaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

    <p>To regulate the fission reaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why nuclear power stations use nuclear fission instead of nuclear fusion?

    <p>Nuclear fission is currently more technologically feasible than nuclear fusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the radioactive decay of an unstable nucleus?

    <p>The nucleus transforms into a different element.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of neutrons in an atomic nucleus?

    <p>They have no significant role in the nucleus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is nuclear power considered a viable alternative to fossil fuels?

    <p>It generates less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the nucleus in an atom?

    <p>To determine the identity of the element.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of radioactive materials?

    <p>They emit radiation spontaneously.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the discovery of nuclear fission in the 1930s?

    <p>It enabled the harnessing of nuclear energy for electricity generation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary component of an atom that determines its chemical properties?

    <p>Protons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the energy released from the decay of atomic nuclei?

    <p>Nuclear energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did researchers find nuclear power to be practical for electricity generation?

    <p>Because radioactive materials release substantial energy upon decaying.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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