NUCLEAR

1. Diagram 3 shows nuclear fission of Uranium-235.

(a) What is the meaning of nuclear fission?

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(1 mark)
(b) Give one reason why Uranium-235 splits into two new elements after the
reaction occurs.

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(1 mark)
(c) Complete the equation of the nuclear fission below.
(i)

(1 mark)

(ii) Based on the equation above, calculate the energy released in nuclear fission
process. The mass defect during the process is 0.18606 u.
(1 u = 1.66 x 10-27 kg ; c = 3.0 x 108 ms-1)

(3 marks)
2. The equation below represents a radioactive decay which occurs spontaneously.

(a) Name the type of the radiation decay.

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(1 mark)
(b) Why does the radioactive decay occur?

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(1 mark)
(c) Table 3 shows the atomic mass unit (u) of three elements.

(i) Determine the mass defect in kg.

(2 marks)

(ii) Calculate the energy released from radioactive decay.

(2 marks)
3. A nuclear reaction is represented by the following equation:

(a) Based on the equation, X is the nucleon number of Helium

(i) What is the meaning of nucleon number?

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(1 mark)

(ii) Determine the value of X.

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(1 mark)

(b) State the nuclear reaction.

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(1 mark)

(c) The nuclear reaction releases a large amount of energy due to mass defect.
Table 4 shows the mass of each nuclide stated in atomic mass unit, u.

(i) Calculate the mass defect in kg

(2 marks)
(ii) Calculate the energy released

(2 marks)
4. A nuclear reaction is represented by the following equation:

Based on equation, calculate

(a) the mass defect.

(2 marks)

(b) the energy released.

(2 marks)
5. (a) Diagram 12.1 shows a water pipe that is located under a concrete layer. Water
is leak out from the crack on the water pipe.

Radioisotope is used to detect the crack on the water pipe.

(i) What is radioisotope?

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(1 mark)

(ii) Explain how radioisotope is used to detect the crack on the water pipe.

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(4 marks)

(b) Diagram 12.2 shows a nuclear fission and the equation for the reaction
Table 3.1 shows the atomic mass unit(u) of radioactive elements involved in
the fission reaction.

Calculate:
(i) the mass defect in kg
(1 u = 1.66 x 10-27 kg ; c = 3.0 x 108 ms-1)

(3 marks)
(ii) The energy produced in the fission reaction.

(2 marks)
(c) Diagram 12.3 shows a cross section of a nuclear reactor model.

A new nuclear reactor is to be built on an island.

Table 3.2 shows the characteristics of four nuclear reactor model, J, K, L and
M with different specifications.

Reactor Fuel Physical state Half-life of the Control rod

of the fuel fuel
J Uranium Solid Long Cadmium
K Krypton Liquid Short Graphite
L Uranium Liquid Short Cadmium
M Krypton Solid Long Graphite

Determine the most suitable nuclear reactor model that can function
efficiently. Justify your answer.
(10 marks)
Characteristics Explanation

The most suitable nuclear reactor is ………………………..because ……………………

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