Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion

Research into nuclear fusion will likely require a large investment of time and money before it might be used as an energy source.

Which statement best describes the benefits that would make the investment worthwhile?

Fusion requires a large amount of energy and occurs in stars.
Fusion produces large amounts of energy, and the fuel is found on Earth.
Fusion produces no radioactive waste, and the fuel is plentiful.
Fusion requires little energy to begin and would continue through a chain reaction.

NOT D B

Which is most likely why many scientists reject the cold fusion theory?

There is too much waste involved in the process.

Cold fusion experiments have been conducted at room temperature only.

The process does not produce enough energy to meet the needs of modern humans.

The original results have not been replicated consistently and reliably.

D

Which statement is true about nuclear fusion?

It is caused by the same process that causes nuclear fission.
It does not occur naturally in the solar system.
It has very low activation energy.
It produces nearly all the elements that are heavier than helium.

NOT A

How does critical mass play a role in nuclear reactions?

It is the minimum amount of material needed to start a fission reaction.

It is the minimum amount of material needed to start a fusion reaction.

It is the minimum amount of material needed to sustain a fission reaction.

It is the minimum amount of material needed to sustain a fusion reaction.

C

Which is a characteristic of nuclear fusion?

produces radioactive waste
involves the collision of two nuclei
commonly used by humans as an energy source
requires very little activation energy

B

Why is it important for scientists to replicate each other’s experiments?

to determine if important scientific results are repeatable

to help the research of other scientists

to determine if slight alterations in the experiment can affect the result

to further their own research

A

Which equation demonstrates that nuclear fusion forms elements that are heavier than helium?

B

Which element is nuclear fusion least likely to produce?

hydrogen, which has an approximate mass of 1
chlorine, which has an approximate mass of 35
argon, which has an approximate mass of 39
silicon, which has an approximate mass of 28

A

Which type of reaction does this diagram represent?

mc007-1.jpg

nuclear fusion because nuclei combine to form a heavy nucleus

nuclear fission because an atom is splitting into two large fragments of comparable mass

nuclear fusion because a large amount of energy is
being released

nuclear fission because the resulting products are not radioactive

B

Which is a characteristic of nuclear fusion but NOT nuclear fission?

releases large amounts of energy
is the energy source of stars
is used in electric power plants
requires little energy to occur

B

Which best describes what forms in nuclear fusion?
two smaller, more stable nuclei
two larger, less stable nuclei
one smaller, less stable nucleus
one larger, more stable nucleus

NOT A

Which best describes nuclear fission?

A nucleus spontaneously splits and absorbs energy.
Two nuclei spontaneously combine and absorb energy.
A nucleus collides with a neutron and splits, releasing energy.
Nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

NOT A

Which statement is true about nuclear fusion?

It is caused by the same process that causes nuclear fission.
It does not occur naturally in the solar system.
It has very low activation energy.
It produces nearly all the elements that are heavier than helium.

D

Which statement is true about this reaction?

mc016-1.jpg

It is a practical source of energy on Earth.
It occurs only outside the solar system.
Its product is heavier than each of its reactants.
It shows the critical mass of an element.

NOT A