E Atomic Physics
21 Nuclear Energy
Practice 21.1 (p. 288)
1 B
2 C
11
10
Mass of U-235 required =
10
7.2 ×10
g products are safe to the environment. For
3 B
4 B
5 Since both α particles and uranium nuclei are
positively charged, the electrostatic repulsion
between α particles and uranium nuclei is
very large. Hence, it is very difficult for α
particles to get close to uranium nuclei and
break them.
6 From the total number of protons,
92 + 0 = a + 37 + 3 × 0
a = 55
From the total mass number,
235 + 1 = 143 + b + 3 × 1
b = 90
7 (a) For nuclear fission, the fuel (fissile
materials) has a large mass number, e.g.
U-235 and Pu-239. For nuclear fusion, the
fuel has a small mass number, e.g. H-1, H-
2 and H-3.
(b) Both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
can give out a large amount of energy.
However, with the same mass of fuel, the
energy produced by fusion is more than
that by fission.
New Physics at Work (Second Edition)
Chapter 21 Nuclear Energy
(c) Fission products are usually radioactive
and a lot of radiation is given off during
fission. They could be harmful to the
environment when they are not handled
= 1.39
with great care. On the other hand, fusion
example, in 21 H + 31 H → 42 He + 01 n ,
He-4 and neutrons are not radioactive.
8 (a) By E = mc2,
E = 1.99 × 1030 × (3 × 108)2
= 1.791 × 1047 J
Energy of 1.791 × 1047 J will be released.
E
(b) By t = ,
P
1.791 ×10 47
t= = 4.59 × 1020 s
3.90 ×10 26
= 1.46 × 1013 years
The remaining life of the Sun is
1.46 × 1013 years.
(c) The estimate in (b) is longer than the
actual remaining life of the Sun. It is
because only a fraction of the mass of the
Sun will be converted into energy when
the Sun undergoes fusion.
Practice 21.2 (p. 297)
1 B
2 D
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E Atomic Physics Chapter 21 Nuclear Energy

3 (a) Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity Mass of uranium fuel used
produces greenhouse gases, like CO2 and 4.32 ×10 14
=
SO2, and ashes. 8.64 ×10 13
Using nuclear power does not produce = 5 kg
greenhouse gases, but the nuclear waste is
radioactive and it is difficult to handle Revision exercise 21
nuclear waste. Multiple-choice (p. 301)
(b) Nuclear power plants generally have high Section A
safety standards because the high radiation 1 D
level near the station is harmful to living 2 D
things when there is any serious accident. 3 C
However, burning fossil fuels has much 4 D
fewer safety issues.
(c) The reserve of nuclear fuel is huge, while Section B
the reserve of fossil fuels will soon be 5 D
exhausted. 6 C
4 For a nuclear reactor, the chain reaction is 7 D
controlled by a moderator and control rods
inside the reactor, and the chain reaction can Conventional (p. 301)
either speed up and cool down by the control Section A
of the above two components. 1 (a) Radioactive decay occurs randomly (1A)
For an atomic bomb, nothing inside the bomb while nuclear fission should be triggered.
controls the chain reaction. Once the (1A)
radioactive source reaches the critical mass, In each radioactive decay, the mother
uncontrolled chain reaction starts, releasing a nucleus forms a single new nucleus; (1A)
huge amount of heat and nuclear radiation. however, in each nuclear fission, the
5 (a) For each reactor, by E = Pt, heavy nucleus splits to form more than one
E = 5 × 10 × 8 × 60 × 60
9
smaller nuclei. (1A)
= 1.44 × 10 J14
(Accept other reasonable answers.)
The energy supplied by the power stations (b) When a neutron collides with a uranium
= 1.44 × 10 × 3 = 4.32 × 10 J
14 14
nucleus, the uranium nucleus splits in a
(b) Energy supplied by 1 kg of uranium in the nuclear fission and neutrons are emitted.
reactor (1A)
= 2.88 × 10 × 30% = 8.64 × 10 J
14 13
The emitted neutrons carry on splitting
other uranium nuclei and a chain reaction
is resulted. (1A)

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E Atomic Physics Chapter 21 Nuclear Energy

2 (a) (i) A gas-burning power station does not (b) By

emit greenhouse gas, SO2, and (1A) energy output
efficiency = × 100%
energy input
its efficiency is higher. (1A)
(ii) The reserve of coal is more than that (1M)
of gas. Coal-burning power stations energy released by the fuel
1.296 ×10 14
can operate a longer time. (1A) = = 4.32 × 1014 J (1A)
0.3
(b) It is because, for the same mass of fuel,
5 (a) In nuclear fission, a heavy nucleus splits to
the amount of energy generated by fission
form some smaller nuclei. (1A)
is much more than that by burning coal or
In nuclear fusion, light nuclei combine to
gas. (1A)
form some heavier nuclei. (1A)
Also, the reserve of nuclear fuel is more
(b) The products formed by nuclear fusion is
than that of coal and gas. (1A)
not radioactive. (1A)
(c) Any one of the following: (1A)
(c) Since nuclei carry positive charge, they
Wind energy
repel each other. (1A)
Hydropower
For fusion to occur, the two hydrogen
Solar energy
nuclei must approach each other with very
Tidal energy
high speed to overcome the repulsion.(1A)
Geothermal energy
In order to achieve this, the temperature of
Bioenergy
the hydrogen gas should be raised to an
3 (a) Energy output
extremely high value. (1A)
= 2 × 109 × 60 × 60 (1M)
(For effective communication.) (1C)
= 7.2 × 1012 J (1A)
(d) In the Sun. (1A)
(b) Raising or lowering the control rods in the
6 (a) Neutrons are also emitted. (1A)
nuclear reactors (1A)
(b) The nuclear reactor should be surrounded
can made the rate of chain reaction faster
by a concrete shield. (1A)
or slower. (1A)
(Accept other reasonable answers.)
As a result, the power output of the
(c) The nuclear wastes are radioactive. (1A)
nuclear reactors is adjusted.
They are sealed in metal containers to
4 (a) By E = Pt, (1M)
prevent leakage of radiation. (1A)
E = (2 × 500 + 800) × 106
7 (a) Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy
× 20 × 60 × 60
nucleus (1A)
= 1.296 × 1014 J (1A)
by neutrons. (1A)
Power station can supply 1.296 × 1014 J
(b) Heat / kinetic energy of fission products is
everyday.
released in nuclear fission. (1A)
(c) Advantages of nuclear power stations, any
two of the following: (2 × 1A)

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E Atomic Physics Chapter 21 Nuclear Energy

The fuel transportation problem is small. (c)

1 235
The nuclear energy generated per unit 0n + 92 U → 92 141 1
36 Kr + 56 Ba + 3 0 n + energy

mass of fuel is huge. (1A)

No greenhouse gas, like CO2 and SO2, and (d) If the outgoing neutrons collide with other
ashes is produced. U-235 nuclides, those U-235 nuclides
The reserve of nuclear fuel is huge. would undergo fission and produce more
Disadvantages of nuclear power stations, neutrons that can induce fission of other
any two of the following: (2 × 1A) U-235 nuclides. (1A)
Nuclear waste is radioactive and it is In this way, fission reaction can carry on
difficult to handle nuclear waste. and it forms a chain reaction. (1A)
After accidents, the rise of the radiation Since the number of neutrons produced
level near a nuclear power station is grows, the rate of reaction grows and more
harmful to human. and more heat is generated. (1A)
The maintenance cost of a nuclear power If heat is generated fast enough, explosion
plant is high. may occur. (1A)
(d) reactor, heat exchanger, steam, generator (For effective communication.) (1C)
(4 × 1A) (e) The nuclear energy changes into heat.(1A)
(f) Advantages (any two of the following):
Section B (2 × 1A)
8 (a) This nuclear power station uses nuclear Since only small amount of nuclear fuel is
fusion. (1A) used in nuclear power station, the fuel
(b) X is a neutron. (1A) transportation problem is small.
2 3 4 1
1 H + 1H → 2 He + 0n The nuclear energy generated per unit
(Correct symbols for the nuclides.) (1A) mass of fuel is huge.
(Correct mass numbers and atomic The reserve of nuclear fuel is huge.
numbers.) (1A) No greenhouse gas, like CO2 and SO2, and
(Correct presentation of equation.) (1A) ashes is produced by nuclear power
(c) The total mass of the nuclei before station.
reaction is greater than that after reaction. Disadvantages (any two of the following):
(1A) (2 × 1A)
(d) Nuclear fusion can provide a very cheap, Nuclear waste is radioactive and it is
abundant and safer source of energy.(1A) difficult to handle nuclear waste.
The waste product of nuclear fusion is If serious accidents (e.g. meltdown of a
inert and non-radioactive. (1A) reactor) happen, the high radiation level
(Accept other reasonable answers.) near the nuclear power plant is harmful to
9 (a) Nuclear fission (1A) living things.
(b) X is a neutron. (1A) The maintenance cost of a nuclear power

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E Atomic Physics Chapter 21 Nuclear Energy

plant is high. 10 (a) (i) Neutrons are difficult to detect

because they are electrically neutral.
(1A)
They do not deflect in magnetic field
and electric field. (1A)
(ii) They induce fission. (1A)
They bombard and split the nuclei of
fissile materials. (1A)
(iii) No, electrons cannot replace neutrons
in fission. (1A)
Since objects of the same charge
repel, (1A)
the approaching electrons will be
easily repelled by the electrons
surrounding the nuclei of fissile
materials. (1A)
Thus electrons can hardly get close to
the nuclei of fissile materials and
induce fission.
(b) (i) Uranium-235 is the nuclear fuel used
in this reactor. (1A)
(ii) The mass numbers and atomic
numbers on both sides of the
equation should be balanced.
a = 1 + 235 − 135 − 5 = 96 (1A)
b = 92 − 40 = 52 (1A)
(iii) According to the equation, 5 neutrons
are emitted during fission. (1A)
Some of these neutrons would collide
with other U-235 nuclei to induce
fission and produce more neutrons,
some of which will also collide with
other U-235 nuclei and induce
fission. (1A)
Hence, fission reaction carries on and
leads to chain reaction. (1A)
(For effective communication.) (1C)

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E Atomic Physics Chapter 21 Nuclear Energy

(iv) The lost mass has been converted to

energy. (1A)
11 (a) When those nuclei undergo fusion, a
heavier nucleus is formed (1A)
and energy is released. (1A)
(b) Since objects of the same charge repel,
when nuclei approach each other, they
experience repulsive force, (1A)
which decelerates them and may change
their moving directions. (1A)
Hence, nuclei should move at a high speed
(high kinetic energy) to get close enough
for fusion to occur.
(c) Since the speed of nuclei increases with
their temperature and (1A)
nuclei should have a large amount of
kinetic energy to get close together. (1A)
12 (HKCEE 2003 Paper I Q9)

Physics in articles (p. 305)

(a) Water or welded containers can minimize the
amount of radiation releases from the nuclear
waste (1A)
to the surroundings by absorbing the radiation.
(1A)
(b) Leakage of nuclear waste from the containers
(1A)
causes serious environmental problems and
damages to health of living things. (1A)
(c) (Accept any reasonable answer.) (2 × 1A)

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