NUCLEAR ENERGY

In general, processes in the universe follow the law of conservation of mass.

But when it comes to the radioactivity, nuclear mass violate the law because
the sum of the masses of the product nuclei is less than the sum of the masses
of the reactant nuclei, hence there is a LOSS OF MASS in radioactivity.
Einstein’s theory of relativity concluded the fact that mass and energy are
interchangeable.

Σ mR−Σ m p = ∆m

Where mR is nuclear mass of product nucleus and mP is nuclear mass of

reactant nucleus
∆m is the change (loss) in the nuclear mass
If E be the energy released due to loss in the mass ∆m and c be the speed of
light, then –
E = (∆m) x c2, ∆m is in kg and E is in Joules.
Since nuclear masses are very small, so we use a smaller unit of mass called
‘atomic mass unit (amu)’ or ‘unified mass (u)’
1 amu = 1.66 x 10-27 kg
1 amu = 931 MeV where 1MeV = 1.6 x 10-13 J
 Types of Nuclear
Reactions
Nuclear Nuclear
Fission Fusion

Controlled Chain
Reactions

Uncontrolled Chain
Reactions

NUCLEAR FISSION
Nuclear fission is a reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits
into two or more smaller nuclei (daughter nuclei)
Fission releases large amount of energy
When neutrons are bombarded against uanium-235, the uranium-235 nucleus
absorbs a neutron to be a uranium-236 and it splits into two fragments with
emitting some neutrons simultaneously and evolving a huge amount of
energy larger than 200 MeV.
Regular Household electrical energy consumption in India is ~ 30 MeV per day.
If we use 1 g of uanium-235, it would release ~ 4.8 x 1023 MeV (almost an
equivalent of 20 tonnes of TNT)
Uranium – It is the most widely used nuclear material for generating energy
and is found in nature as 2 isotopes.
uanium-235 is present almost 99.3% and uanium-236 is around 0.7%.
Are both isotopes equally useful?
Uranium-235 is much better as it breaks even when bombarded with slow
neutrons whereas uanium-236 requires fast pace neutrons to break.
CHAIN REACTIONS v UNCONTROLLED CHAIN REACTIONS
CONTROLLED CHAIN UNCONTROLLED CHAIN
REACTIONS REACTIONS
We can control the The reaction occurs
speed of reaction and rapidly so that the
thereby control the rate energy is released
of release of energy. instantaneously.
Due to this, we can We can't convert any of
convert it into any other that into any useful
useful form of energy. form of energy.
Peaceful use: Nuclear Destructive use: Atom
power plants generate bombs
energy
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RADIOACTIVE DECAY AND NUCLEAR FISSION
RADIOACTIVE DECAY NUCLEAR FISSION
Spontaneous process Needs to be initiated, does not starts
by itself
Nuclear decay leads to emission of α Huge amount of energy is released in
or β particles along with energy in fission.
the form of ϒ rays.
Rate of decay cannot be controlled Can be controlled (controlled chain
reaction)

NUCLEAR FUSION
Nuclear reactions are phenomena in which one or multiple atomic particles are created from the
collisions between two nuclei or a subatomic particle and one nucleus.
The nucleus created from nuclear reactions are not similar to the reacting nuclei (parent nuclei).

Every star in the universe, including the sun, is alive due to nuclear fusion. It is through this process
that they produce an enormous amount of heat and energy. The pressure at the core of any star is
tremendously high, and that is where the nuclear fusion reaction occurs.
This is why, nuclear fusion reactions are also called thermos-nuclear reactions.
At extremely temperature (in millions), coupled with very high pressure, two isotopes of Hydrogen,
Deuterium and Tritium, fuse to form Helium and release a massive amount of energy in the form of
heat.
Hydrogen bomb is an example of nuclear fusion.
 QUESTIONS
State any one similarity between nuclear fission and fusion.
Which of the following particle is used for nuclear fission?
a. Alpha
b. Beta
c. Neutron
d. Proton
Complete the following nuclear reactions:

a.

b.
Also, classify them as the type of nuclear reaction.
In a nuclear fusion reaction, the loss in the mass is 0.3%. How much energy is
released in the fusion of 200 g of mass?
If 190 MeV energy is released due to fission of each nucleus of U-235, what
mass of U-235 undergoes fission per hour in a reactor of power 300 MW?
Given: 1 amu = 1.66 x 10-27 kg