2.a
What is carbon dating?
A method to determine the age of an object containing organic materials.
What is radioactive decay?
The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy
What is nuclear fission?
A process that splits a heavy nucleus into nuclei
What are radioactive materials used for in energy production?
Used in nuclear reactors
What is half-life?
The time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.
How can alpha particles be stopped?
By paper
What are the main challenges associated with nuclear fission and fusion?
Requires advancements in technology and safety
What is one advantage of using radioactive materials for energy production?
A small amount of fuel can produce a large amount of energy
How is carbon dating used to determine the age of an object?
Measures the amount of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope, present in an object.
How can you identify the type of decay based on the emitted particle?
Alpha has low
Beta has moderate
Gamma has high
What is the process of nuclear fission, including the role of neutrons and the concept of a chain reaction?
A neutron collides with a heavy nucleus and splits, releasing more neutrons, causes further fission, creating a chain reaction.
Describe the challenges associated with the disposal and storage of radioactive waste
This waste remains hazardous for thousands of years.
What factors can affect the accuracy of carbon dating?
Contamination and objects dating 50,000 years old
What is the difference between alpha decay and beta decay?
Alpha consists of 2 protons and neutrons
Beta is an electron or a positron.
What is the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
Fission splits and Fusion combines.
Explain the concept of energy density and how it relates to radioactive materials.
Radioactive materials have a high energy density
What are the strengths and weaknesses of carbon dating?
Strengths: A powerful tool to determine the age of organic materials
Weaknesses: requires a certain amount of carbon 14
What relationship between the changes in atomic number and mass number in different types of decay?
Alpha atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4
Beta atomic number decreases or increases by 1 and the mass number remains the same
Gamma atomic number and mass number has no change.
Predict the potential impact of widespread adoption of nuclear fusion as an energy source on global energy landscape
To help the sun stay bright
Evaluate the economic benefits and drawbacks of investing in nuclear energy
Benefits: High-energy efficiency and low emissions
Drawbacks: Waste management and accident risks