SCIENCE 4B- 10

CHEMISTRY
Module 4 – Chapter 18:
Radioactivity and Nuclear Energy

PREPARED BY:
JOBERT PELONIA NOTADO
BSED-SCIENCE 4

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

 LESSON NUCLEAR ENERGY
#5 AND RADIATION
APPLICATIONS
OVERVIEW

Nuclear energy is a form of energy released from the nucleus, the core of
atoms, made up of protons and neutrons. This source of energy can be produced in
two ways: fission – when nuclei of atoms split into several parts – or fusion – when
nuclei fuse together. While nuclear energy has long been touted as a no-go for
environmentalists, some scientists now argue that nuclear energy is one of the most
“carbon-free” sources of energy, as the fission process involved produces little to no
greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, radiation is a common and valuable tool in medicine, research and

industry. It is used in medicine to diagnose illnesses, and in high doses, to treat
diseases such as cancer. Also, high doses of radiation are used to kill harmful bacteria
in food and to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. Radiation produces heat that is
used to generate electricity in nuclear power reactors. Radioactive materials are used
in a number of consumer products, such as smoke detectors and exit signs, and for
many other research and industrial purposes.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After going through this module, you are expected to;

1. Compare and contrast
a. Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
b. Atomic bomb and power reactor
c. Hydrogen bomb and atomic bomb
d. Research reactor and power reactor
2. Illustrate chain reaction
3. cite application of radiation
4. Assess the risks and benefits of radiation

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

18.5 Nuclear Energy and Radiation Applications

Most of the energy used today comes from the combustion of fossil fuels and
biofuels. Heat energy can also come from certain processes involving atomic nucleus.
This power source is called nuclear energy. Nuclear energy results from the
conversion of nuclear lost mass into energy during a nuclear reaction.

There are two processes by which energy can be obtained from the atomic
nucleus.

Nuclear Fission

As predicted from the graph

of binding energy per nucleon,
nuclei heavier than iron-56 will
spontaneously undergo fission,
However, experimental evidence
shows that a spontaneous fission
reaction occurs only with very
heavy nuclei—those with a mass
number of 230 or more. In addition,
a fission reaction occurs at a very slow rate. For example, the spontaneous fission
reaction of uranium-238 is 1016 years.

However, fission reaction can be induced. Several isotopes of uranium undergo

induced fission. But the only naturally-occurring uranium isotope that can be induced
by slow moving or thermal neutron is uranium-235, which occurs in trace amounts in
nature.

The following reactions show some of the many reactions that may occur during
induced fission of uranium-235.

235 146 87
92𝑈 + 10𝑛 → 57𝐿𝑎 + 35𝐵𝑟 + 3 10𝑛
235 137 97
92𝑈 + 10𝑛 → 53𝐿𝑎 + 39𝑌 + 2 10𝑛

235 139 94
92𝑈 + 10𝑛 → 56𝐵𝑎 + 36𝐾𝑟 + 3 10𝑛

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

 Fission fragments produced are rarely of the same mass. One fission fragment
is generally 1.4 heavier than the other. On the average 2.5 neutrons are released per
fission reaction.

The reaction releases energy which can be calculated using the equation E =
𝑚𝑐 2 . It was found that the energy released per gram of uranium-235 is about 80 million
kJ, as compared with 50 kJ when 1 gram of natura! is burned. The tremendous amount
of energy given off by attraction as a source of power.

If there is enough fissionable material, a chain reaction occurs. Chain reaction

is a succession of nuclear fission that is self-sustaining. The amount of fissionable
material needed for a chain reaction to be self-sustaining is called critical mass.

You will
notice that the
number of
neutrons triples
with every fission,
from 1, 3, 9, 27, …
to countless
numbers of
neutrons. This
happens in a very
short time and
releases
tremendous
amount of energy,
leading to nuclear
explosion.

Uncontrolled fission reaction is the principle involved in an atomic bomb. The

disastrous effect of the atomic bomb is mainly due to tremendous amount of energy

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

and radioactive fission fragments with long half-lives that are released during the
reaction.

The first atomic bomb was successfully tested in Alamogordo, New Mexico in
July, 1945. On August 6, 1945, it was
dropped in Hiroshima upon instruction
of President Harry Truman. He was
compelled by his desire to prevent the
millions of Americans and Allied
casualties expected in an invasion of
Japan. On August 9, 1945, a second
bomb was dropped in Nagasaki. The
atomic bomb explosion resulted in
approximately 200 000 deaths. The
war officially ended on August 14,
1945 when Japan surrendered.

Heat energy produced in fission reaction turns the water circulating the fuel rods
into steam. The steam in the turbine drives the electrical generator to supply electricity.

A major problem of nuclear reactors is the disposal of high-level radioactive

wastes produced in the operation. These wastes must be stored safely to prevent
radiation from contaminating the environment.

In spite of dangers associated with nuclear power reaction, it remains one of

the main sources of energy in countries like the United States, France, United
Kingdom, and Japan.

Besides heat energy, nuclear reactors emit high-speed neutrons, slow neutrons
(neutrons slowed down due to collision with materials in the reactor), gamma rays,
beta particles, fission fragments, and neutrons.

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

 If gamma rays and
neutrons are utilized in the
nuclear reactor for
conducting basic research
in medicine, agriculture,
and industry, the reactor is
called a research reactor.
A research reactor was
established in 1967 in
Diliman, Quezon City. The main purpose of the Philippines nuclear research reactor
is to provide experimental facilities for the production of radioisotopes such as
phosphorous, cobalt, iodine, chromium, gold, etc. The energy produced in the reaction
is dissipated in the atmosphere.

Nuclear Fusion

In the nuclear fusion, two light

nuclei are combined or fused to form a
heavier nucleus. During the reaction,
mass is converted to energy as
indicated by the equation the E = 𝑚𝑐 2 .
Fusion of hydrogen atoms to form
helium is the primary source of energy
radiated by the sun as shown below.

4 11𝐻 → 42𝐻𝑒 + 2 +10𝑒

With one gram of nuclear fuel, the energy released nuclear fusion is four times
than energy released in nuclear fission. The energy is also about a million times more
than energy released when 1 gram of fossils fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal) is
burned. If controlled nuclear fusion can be achieved, it could be the ultimate solution
to the world’s energy problem. However, technical difficulties must be overcome
before this source of energy can be commercially explored. One such difficulty is to
provide with enough thermal energy so that they can fuse when they collide.

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

 A nuclear fuel must surpass its ignition temperature before nuclear fusion can
occur. Ignition temperature is the minimum temperature at which a fuel must be heated
to start combustion. In deuterium-tritium reaction, the ignition temperature is above 10
K. At this temperature, any substance exists as a completely ionized gas known as
plasma. The only container that will not melt at this temperature is a magnetic field.
The Tokamak reactor pioneered by Russian scientists made use of a doughnut-
shaped magnet which contained the hot plasma. However, a sustained controlled
fusion reaction cannot be achieved by this method.

Another approach was done at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. A powerful

laser was focused on a minute pellet containing frozen tritium and deuterium. The high
temperature and pressure caused the nuclei to fuse. To date, this method has not
achieved a self-sustaining controlled fusion Therefore, it is most unlikely that fusion
reaction will become a practical source of energy in the near future.

Fusion reaction is the principle involved in a hydrogen bomb. The first artificial
fusion reaction wag utilized in the
hydrogen bomb that was tested in
November 1952. The high
temperature needed for a hydrogen
bomb was supplied by the atomic
fission bomb, although a hydrogen
bomb produces little radioactive
waste, its destructive effect is due to tremendous amount of energy and radioactive
fragments released from fission reaction. Fusion reaction, like fission reaction,
releases enormous energy and is possible a source of thermal pollution.

Radiation Application

From the previous lesson, you learned the disastrous effect of radiation to
humans. You also learned that nuclear reaction releases tremendous amount of
energy and can supply our energy needs.

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

 Do you know that radiation has vast applications in medicine? It has become a
crucial part of medical treatment, both therapeutic and diagnostic.

A therapeutic radiation (from

either external or internal sources) is
used to kill diseased tissue. External
radiation therapy for the treatment of
cancer involves the use of gamma rays
from cobalt-60 sources. A radiation
beam is focused on the tumor through a
small opening. However, patients
undergoing cobalt treatment suffer from
effects of radiation sickness like nausea, dizziness, loss of hair, etc.

External radiation therapy is more selective than external therapy. For example,
in the treatment of goiter, iodine-131, a beta emitter known to localize in the target
tissue, is administered internally. The localized iodine-131 produces radiation that
destroys only the surrounding diseased tissue.

A diagnostic minute amount of radioisotope known as radioactive label or tracer

that concentrates in specific tissue or organ is injected into the body. Radioactivity
taken up by the tissue or organ is measured and/or scanned. Based on the amount
absorbed or the image of the tissue or organ, the doctor may discover if it is diseased
or not.

Radiation is also used in industry and agriculture. In industry, radioactive

elements are used to detect flaws, control quality, and measure the thickness and
volume of materials. Chemists and engineers use radioisotopes to study material
movement in metal plating, detergent action, corrosion processes, etc.

In agriculture, radioisotopes are extensively used as traders. As a tracer, a

radioisotope is used to study the effects of proper fertilization on plant growth and
determine the optimum condition for the uptake of nutrients. It is also useful in following
the paths of chemical used and as an insect killer in the environment. In farming, seeds
exposed to radiation can germinate and grow into plants with unusual and often
improved characteristics.

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

 Radiation also reduces or eliminates deteriorative biological or physiological
agents: for example, irradiating flours kill infesting insects; irradiating potatoes and
onions prevent the formation of sprouts; irradiating poultry reduces the levels of
salmonella; and irradiating pre-cooked meats eliminates all microorganisms

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

ACTIVITY #5

Radiation: What’s your Stand?

Below are statements/ arguments about radiation, give your opinion in the
space provided. Write your answer in your activity notebook (big green notebook).
NOTE: If it’s printed you can attach it to your activity notebook. Take a picture of your
answer and submit it in our google classroom.

Statement/ Argument Your stand

1. Nuclear fusion reaction is the
ultimate solution to the world’s
energy problem.

2. Establishment of a power reactor

as a source of energy in your
region.

ASSESSMENT #5

Write your answer in your activity notebook (big green notebook). NOTE: If it’s
printed you can attach it to your activity notebook. Take a picture of your answer and
submit it in our google classroom.

1. Using Venn diagrams, compare and contrast the following:

a. Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
b. Power reactor and atomic bomb
c. Hydrogen bomb and atomic bomb
d. Research reactor and power reactor

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO

POINTS TO REMEMBER

✓ In fusion reactions, two light atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier
nucleus and release a large amount of energy.

✓ The basic concept behind any fusion reaction is to bring two light nuclei close
enough so the residual strong force (nuclear force) in their nuclei will pull them
together.

✓ The fused nuclei of two smaller atoms form a single nucleus with a slightly
smaller mass, providing energy according to E = mc2.

✓ Fusion between the nuclei is opposed by the repulsive positive electrical charge
common to all nuclei because they contain protons.

✓ Nuclear fission is a process where the nucleus of an atom is split into two or
more smaller nuclei, known as fission products.

✓ The fission of heavy elements is an exothermic reaction, and huge amounts of

energy are released in the process.

REFERENCES:

• Department of Education. “K to 12 Curriculum Guide Science (Grade 3 to 10).”

Accessed October 2019.
"https://www.deped.gov.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2019/01/Science-CG_with-
tagged-sciequipment_revised.pdf.
• LRDMS Portal. Science Modules. December 29, 2014. "Accessed October 13,
2019.
• You and The Natural World-Chemistry pg. 400-404
• https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-nuclear-energy-the-science-of-
nuclear-power
• https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/4402/#:~:text=Today%2C%20radiation
%20is%20a%20common,shelf%20life%20of%20fresh%20produce.
• https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-chemistry/chapter/nuclear-
fusion/

MODULE IN SCIENCE 4B-CHEMISTRY Prepared by: JOBERT P. NOTADO