Fission and Fusion Below are two statements about nuclear fusion. Statement 1: During fusion, a heavier nucleus is formed by joining two lighter nuclei, ‘Statement 2; During fusion, some mass is converted into energy. Which of the following is true? Tick one box. Neither statement is true, Only statement 1 is true. Only statement 2is true Both statements are true, [Total } mark} Pan State one similarity and one difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, Similarity: Difference: ‘Total 2 marks} 3 Fission reactors use chain reactions to produce energy. 3.1* Briefly explain how the absorption of a neutron can lead to a chain reaction. a 3.2. Chain reactions have to be controlled. This means limiting the number of neutrons causing fission. Explain what could happen if chain reaction is uncontrolled. [Total 6 marks}A scientist is reviewing the safety procedures to be ‘used in her lab. She is concerned about contamination and irradiation. Explain the difference between contamination and irradiation. 41 Give one example of how the scientist can protect herself from being irradiated by a radioactive sample with a low activity. a Give two ways in which the scientist can protect herself against contamination when handling a radioactive sample with a low activity. L Des 2 [Total 5 marks] Radium-226 is an alpha source that was used in clocks until the 1960s to make the hands and numbers glow. Explain whether a clockmaker should be more concerned about irradiation or contamination when repairing old clocks that contain radium. ‘[fotal 6 marks}E Nuclear Equations | I 1 Anelectron is emitted from a nucleus. 1.1 State the effect this has on the charge of the nucleus. i] 1.2. Explain the effect that this has on both the mass umber and atomic number of the nucleus. a 1.3. After emitting the electron, the atom is excited. It gets rid of excess energy by emitting ‘a gamma ray. What effect does this have on the charge and mass of the nucleus? 7] [Total 5 marks] 2 A-student writes down the following nuclear decay equation: “Th —® "Pa + °-y Pe * 2.1 Explain how you know that this equation is incorrect. ay 2.2 The student has missed out one other particle which is formed during this decay. Write down the symbol for this particle, including its atomic and mass numbers. a 23 Radium (Ra) has atomic number 88. The isotope radium-226 undergoes alpha decay to form radon (Rn). Write a nuclear equation to show this decay. (3) 2.4. The radon isotope then undergoes alpha decay to form an isotope of polonium (Po), which undergoes alpha decay to form an isotope of lead (Pb). Calculate the number of neutrons in the nucleus of this lead isotope. Number of neutrons Bl [Total 8 marks]Half-life 1 The graph in Figure 1 shows how the count-rate of a radioactive sample changes over time. Figure 1 + aN oN 030100150 To9 250 saa? Time (9) : 1.1 Define the term ‘half-life’ in terms of count-rate. ay 1.2 Using Figure 1, determine the half-life of the sample. Half-life = ea ay 1.3 Initially, the sample contains approximately 800 undecayed nuclei. Predict how many of these nuclei will have decayed after two half-lives. Decayed nuclei 1.4 After two half-lives, what isthe ratio of the number of undecayed ‘nuclei left to the initial number of undecayed nuclei? Tick one box. 12 21 14 4:1 a [Total 5 marks] 2 Table 1 shows data about two radioactive sources. Table 1 Isotope 1 | Isotope 2 Number of undecayed nuclei | 20000 | 20000 Half-life 4 minutes [72 years Explain which isotope will have the highest activity initially {Total mark)