CHAPTER 6 : NUCLEAR ENERGY

Figure of Direction of , and radiations in an electric field

1. A radioactive substance is a substance containing an unstable

2. 3. nucleus which decay and cause emission of alpha, beta and gamma radioactive radiations. Radioactive decay is the process whereby the unstable nucleus of a radioactive element decays spontaneously by emitting radioactive radiation until a stable nucleus is formed. Radioactivity : the ability of the atom of an element to decay

Figure of penetrating power of radioactive radiation THE USES OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE AGRICULTURE Carbon 14 : added to carbon dioxide to study photosynthesis Phosphorus 32 : added to fertilizers Gamma rays : to kill / sterilize pests / fungi on fruits and vegetables / to delay maturation of fruits for expert MEDICINE Gamma rays ( Cobalt 60 ) : to kill cancer cells Beta rays ( phosphorus 32 ) : in treatment of skin cancer Sodium 24 : injected into the body to trace the locations of blood clots Plutonium 238 : to help regulating the heartbeats Gamma rays : to sterilize medical instruments INDUSTRY Radon radioisotope : to locate the source of leakage in underground pipes Iron radioisotope : to determine the rate of corrosion of valves in motor vehicles Gamma rays : to control the thickness of paper, metal and plastic FOOD PRESERVATION Gamma rays : used to sterilize food ARCHAEOLOGY

RADIOACTIVE RADIATION Three types of radioactive radiations i ) Alpha rays ii ) Beta rays Characteristic Type Charge Speed Penetration power Ionization power Magnetic field Alpha rays ( ) Nuclei of helium Positive ( + ) Slow Low, can be blocked by a sheet of paper High Deflected

ii ) Gamma rays Beta rays ( ) Electrons Negative ( - ) Fast Moderate, can be blocked by aluminium of 7mm thickness Moderate Deflected in the opposite direction Gamma rays ( ) Electromagnetics waves Neutral Very fast ( same speed as light) High, can be blocked by lead of a few cm thickness Very low Not deflected ( straight line)

Carbon 14 : to estimate the age of ancient material based on the quantity of carbon that still remains in them NUCLEAR FUSION

6.2 NUCLEAR ENERGY AND ITS USES NUCLEAR FISSION

Nuclear fusion : process of fusing or combining two light nuclei

together to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy

Nuclear fission : a process whereby heavy nucleus splits into two

or more smaller nuclei together with the release of energy

Figure of Fusion of two hydrogen isotopes THE USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY TO GENERATE ELECTRICAL ENERGY The nuclear energy released during nuclear fission can be used to generate electrical energy

Figure of Nuclear Fission Process

When a high speed neutron bombards a Uranium-235 atom, the

atom will break up into two lighter atoms i.e barium and krypton atoms and three high speed neutrons will be produced The three high speed neutrons will spontaneously bombard three other Uranium-235 atoms and break them up. This process will occur continuously and is known as a chain reaction

THE EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY PRODUCTION Generating electricity from a nuclear reactor During the fission process, the radiation from the uranium increases and the waste fuel is highly radioactive. Radiation can cause serious health problems in humans. A low level radiation can cause cell death, genetic mutations, cancers, leukemia and birth defects. A high and short-term exposure can lead to death within days or weeks. Can cause explosion and environmental pollution Misuse of radioactive substances for the purpose of war

Nuclear energy is produced in a nuclear reactor in a nuclear

power station. The process takes place in stages: A. Nuclear energy is produced through nuclear fission of uranium in a nuclear reactor B. Nuclear energy and heat energy boil water to produce steam ( vapour) C. The steam under high pressure rotates the turbine and generates electrical energy in the generator. Energy transformation that occurs during generating electricity is shown above :

6.3 PROPER HANDLING OF RADIOACTIVE SUSTANCE Effect of radioactive radiation on living things Short term effects Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, loss of appetite, internal bleeding Long-term effects Mutation, cancer, abnormality to foetus

Proper handling of radioactive substances and radioactive wastes Radioactive substances are normally stored in thick lead containers surrounded by thick concrete.

Radioactive wastes are stored in tightly closed lead containers and then kept in the reactor compound or buried at the bottom of the sea. Workers in nuclear power stations need to wear a special protective outfit and dosimeter or film badge. The dosimeter or film badge indicates the intensity of radioactive radiation exposed to the workers The warning symbol of radioactive substances must be displayed at places that store radioactive resources. The law should be tightened to ensure that radioactive wastes are disposed off properly and do not harm living things on earth.

3. State one use of radioactive substances in each of the

following fields: i. Medicine ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________

ii. Industry
__________________________________________ __________________________________________

The importance of handling radioactive substances and radioactive wastes properly To avoid radioactive pollution If not handling carefully, the radioactive radiation that is emitted will threaten the health of mankind and the balanced ecosystem

iii. Agriculture _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

B. Fill in the blanks nuclear fission steam turbine nuclear fusion combination collision electricity

1. Nuclear energy can be produced through _______________ or

EXERCISES A. Find the answers for each question below

2.

1. Give the meaning of radioactive substances.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

3. 4.

_______________ In nuclear fusion, __________________ and ______________ of two light nuclei will form a heavier and more stable nucleus with the release of a large amount of energy. Nuclear energy is used to generate ______________________ Electrical energy is generated when steam under high pressure rotates the _____________________________.

2. Give two examples of radioactive substances and two

examples of radioisotopes. __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ C. Tick ( / ) the true statements and cross out ( x ) the false Statements

1. Radioactive radiation can cause mutation in humans.

( )

2. Exposure to a low dosage of radioactive radiation for short 3. 4.

period cause death. ( ) Radioactive substances are normally stored in thick lead containers. ( ) Radioactive wastes also emit harmful radioactive radiation. ( )