PS 4.e DOK
What is carbon-14
Something that can determine the age of organic material as old as 50,000 years
What is radioactive decay?🤔
It's when an unstable atom releases energy/radiation to become stable.
What is nuclear fission?💣
A large atomic nucleus spits. (It ignites H bombs)
What are radioactive materials used for in energy production?
As fuel for nuclear reactors to make energy
The time it takes for the material to reach half of the initial value
What particles does Alpha radiation emit?🤔🤔
2 protons
2 neutrons
What is nuclear fusion?
When 2 smaller atomic nuclei combine and make a bigger one, it releases energy.( The actaul bomb)
What is the primary form of energy produced by nuclear reactors?
Heat energy
Explain how carbon dating is used to determine the age of an object.
It uses the radioactive decay of carbon-14 to check the age
What's the difference between alpha and beta decay?
Alpha releases two protons and two neutrons, and it's more powerful
Beta only releases one single electron
Compare fission and fusion💀
Fission: splits a heavy atom like uranium-238 or plutonium-239
Fusion: Combines two light atoms, which makes a bigger atom with less mass
Explain the concept of energy density and how it relates to radioactive materials
Energy density is the amount of energy stored per unit of fuel. Radioactive materials have very high energy density.
Compare the 3 different types of radioactive decay.
Beta: releases 1 electron
Alpha: Releases 2 protons and neutrons
Gamma: Releases energy/radiation
Compare the penetrating power of beta, alpha, and gamma rays
Beta: weak, can be stopped by paper
Alpha: moderate, can be stopped by aluminum foil
Gamma: strong, can be stopped by lead
How does fission work🤔
A neutron hits the nucleus, which splits into two and releases two other neutrons, causing a chain reaction.
Nuclear vs. fossil fuel emissions
Nuclear power produces very low greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels.
It can tell us the age of something up to 50,000 years old
Can't tell accurately if it doesn't have enough Carbon-14
what can stop the three types of rays
beta: paper or skin
Alpha: plastic or paper
Gamma: A lot of lead or concrete
What do fission and fusion do to the environment
Fission makes radioactive waste, while fusion creates no long-term waste, and they both make low greenhouse gas emissions 😶🌫️
Support nuclear energy
Nuclear energy should continue to be invested in because it produces large amounts of electricity with very low greenhouse gas emissions