AP Physics 1 final

Beta-plus decay

• Happens when there’s too many protons

• P→n + _1⁰e

Beta-minus decay

• Happens when there’s too may neutrons

• N→p + -_1⁰e

Alpha decay

^m_p element → ^4₂He + ^m-4_p-2 element

Gamma decay

element → element + y(gamma ray)

• No change between the element

• Gamma ray has no protons or mass

Neutron in equation form

_0¹N

Mass defect

• mass protons + mass neutrons + mass electrons - mass of the nucleus

• OR reactants - products

Binding energy

• E=mc² (when you’re given mass in Kg)

• mass defect * 931.5 MeV (when you you’re given mass in u)

  • Or you can convert mass to Kg, do E=mc², and multiply by the joules to MeV conversion

A nuclear unit becoming critical means

A chain reaction that causes automatic splitting of the fuel nuclei has been established

A moderator in a nuclear plant is used to

cause collisions with the fast moving neutrons to reduce their speed

Which nuclear reactor does not need a heat exchanger for generation of steam

Boiling water reactor

Enriched uranium is one in which

the percentage of U235 has been artificially increased

Natural uranium is made up of

99.28% U238, 0.712% U235, 0.006% U234

The function of control rods in nuclear plants is to

control absorption of neutrons

In triggering fission, which types of neutrons are desirable?

slow moving ones

What is the meaning of “critical mass”

This refers to the minimum amount of fissionable material required to sustain a chain reaction

The chernobyl nuclear power plant was in which republic of the former USSR

ukraine

in what year did the chernobyl accident occur

1986

the many mili-sieverts is the average american exposed to each year

2-5

the chief hazard of radiation is:

damage to living cells due to ionization

approximately what percent of US electricity product is generated by nuclear power?

20%

Which nuclear fuel is usually used in a thermal nuclear reactor to create fisison

U235

The most popular type of moderator used in nuclear power plants

Light water (H2O)

This is the minimum equivalent does in milli-sieverts you would have to receive to cause death within a few weeks

2,000 mSv

What is a Bq

Becquerel= decay/second

What is a gray

Gray= Joule/Kg