Nuclear Physics

What is the term for a nuclear reaction in which energy is released?

Exothermic

In a nuclear reaction, what is conserved according to the law of conservation of momentum?

Linear momentum and angular momentum

What is the term for the process of changing one nucleus into another?

Artificial transmutation

What is an example of a (p, n) reaction?

1H + 5B → 6C + 0n Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the energy difference between the mass of a nucleus and the sum of the masses of its individual nucleons?

Binding energy Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei?

The binding energy per nucleon of the lighter nuclei increases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which two very light nuclei combine to form a relatively heavy nucleus?

Nuclear fusion Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the energy absorbed or released during a nuclear reaction?

Q-value Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Fission involves the combination of nuclei, while fusion involves the splitting of nuclei Signup and view all the answers

What type of nuclear reaction is characterized by a Q-value less than 0?

Endothermic reaction Signup and view all the answers

What is the general expression for a nuclear reaction?

X + a → C → Y + b Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a breeder reactor?

To produce more fissile fuel than it consumes Signup and view all the answers

What is the energy released in the fission of one uranium atom?

200 MeV Signup and view all the answers

What is required for nuclear fusion to occur?

High pressure and high temperature Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the mass of the nuclei during nuclear fusion?

The mass of the nuclei decreases Signup and view all the answers

What is the mass of a β-particle approximately equal to?

9.11 × 10⁻³¹ kg Signup and view all the answers

What is the energy range of α-rays?

4 MeV to 9 MeV Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which a high-energy photon interacts with a nucleus and produces an electron-positron pair?

Pair production Signup and view all the answers

What is the equation for radioactive decay?

ZXA → Z+1YA + e- + ν Signup and view all the answers

What is the penetration power of γ-rays compared to α-rays?

100 times more than α-rays Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why radioactive substances do not emit both α and β particles simultaneously?

Because the emission of β particles is a sequential process that requires the emission of α particles first Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of γ radiation that distinguishes it from α and β radiation?

It is undeflected in an electric field Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of β particles in a radioactive substance?

The nucleus of the atom Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the decay of a neutron in the nucleus of an atom?

The decay of a neutron into a proton and an electron Signup and view all the answers

Why do α and β particles deflect in an electric field, while γ radiation does not?

Because α and β particles are charged, while γ radiation is not Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason behind the release of energy in a nuclear reaction?

The increase in the total binding energy of the products Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about radioactive elements?

All elements with atomic number greater than 82 are naturally radioactive Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a radioactive element that makes it emit radiation spontaneously?

Unstable nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where an electron and its antiparticle (positron) are formed from a photon?