nuclear energy

1. ATOM AND NUCLEAR ENERGY
Bella, Nicole, Ferren, Jenni
12 IPA

2. 01 02
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Atom and nuclear energy
Definition, reactions, applications
Advantage
Advantage of nuclear energy
Disadvantage
Disadvantage of nuclear energy
TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. 01
Atom and nuclear energy
Definition, reactions, applications

4. PERIODIC TABLE

6. Nuclear Energy is Energy in the Core of an Atom
Atoms are tiny particles in the
molecules that makes up matter.
Atoms are made up of three particles,
called protons (+), neutrons, and
electrons (-). An atom has a nucleus
containing protons and neutrons,
which is surrounded by electrons.
Enormous energy is present in the
bonds that hold the nucleus together.
This nuclear energy can be released
when those bonds are broken. The
bonds can be broken through nuclear
fission, and this energy can be used to
produce electricity.

7. NUCLEAR FISSION
A neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and
radiation. More neutrons are also released when a uranium atom splits. These neutrons continue to collide with other
uranium atoms, and the process repeats itself over and over again. This process is called a nuclear chain reaction.

8. NUCLEAR FISSION
When hit by a neutron, the nucleus
of a uranium (235) splits into two
smaller nuclei, (Barium nucleus
and a Krypton nucleus) and two or
three neutrons. These extra
neutrons will hit other surrounding
Uranium atoms, which will also
split and generate additional
neutrons in a multiplying effect,
thus generating a chain reaction in
a fraction of a second. The heat
produced can be converted into
electricity in a nuclear power plant,
similarly to how heat from fossil
fuels such as coal, gas and oil is
used to generate electricity.

9. The first nuclear fusion weapons (also known as
thermonuclear weapons) were designed to initiate a
fission-based chain reaction. The fusion reaction
between tritium and deuterium would result in the free
neutrons necessary to bombard a fissile isotope and
start a nuclear chain reaction. The first thermonuclear
weapon was detonated in November of 1952. Similar
to the nuclear implosion design, thermonuclear
weapons use the heat and radiation from a fission
reaction to make the fissile material assume a state
of supercritical mass. The supercritical mass then
instantaneously undergoes a fusion chain reaction
yielding exponentially more energy than a fission chain
reaction.
NUCLEAR WEAPONRY

10. NUCLEAR FUSION
Fusion occurs when two atoms slam together to form a heavier atom, like when two hydrogen atoms fuse to form
one helium atom.

11. NUCLEAR FUSION
Fusion reactions take place in a state of matter
called plasma — a hot, charged gas made of
positive ions and free-moving electrons with
unique properties distinct from solids, liquids or
gases.
The reaction needs high temperature to provide
them with enough energy to overcome their mutual
electrical repulsion. Once the nuclei come within a
very close range of each other, the attractive
nuclear force between them will outweigh the
electrical repulsion and allow them to fuse. For
this to happen, the nuclei must be confined within
a small space to increase the chances of collision.

12. The sun is basically
a giant ball of
hydrogen gas
undergoing fusion
and giving off vast
amounts of energy
in the process.

13. Nuclear reactions cause changes in the nucleus of
atoms which in turn leads to changes in the atom
itself. Nuclear reactions convert 1 element into a
completely different element. Suppose if a nucleus
interacts with any other particles and then separates
without altering the characteristics of other nuclei
then the process is called as nuclear scattering rather
than specifying it as a nuclear reaction. This does not
imply radioactive decay. One of the most evident
nuclear reactions is the nuclear fusion reaction that
occurs in fissionable materials producing induced
nuclear fission.
NUCLEAR REACTION

14. Inelastic
Scattering
This process takes place when a
transfer of energy occurs. It
occurs above threshold energy. Ex.
Et = ((A+1)/A)* ε1, where Et is
called as the inelastic threshold
energy and ε1 is the energy of the
first excited state.
Capture
Reactions
When nuclei capture neutral or
charged particles followed by
discharge of ˠ-rays, it is termed as
capture reactions. Radioactive
nuclides are produced by neutron
capture reactions.
TYPES OF NUCLEAR REACTION
Transfer
Reactions
The absorption of a particle
followed by discharge of 1 or 2
particles is referred as transfer
reactions.
Elastic
Scattering
It occurs when there is energy
transfer between a particle and
intends nuclei. It is the most vital
process for slowing down
neutrons. In the case of an elastic
scattering total kinetic energy of
any system is conserved.

15. NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Inside nuclear power plants, nuclear
reactors and their equipment contain and
control the chain reactions, most commonly
fuelled by uranium-235, to produce heat
through fission. The heat warms the
reactor’s cooling agent, typically water, to
produce steam. The steam is then
channelled to spin turbines, activating an
electric generator to create low-carbon
electricity.

16. NUCLEAR BINDING ENERGY
Nuclear binding energy is basically the energy required to dismantle a nucleus into
free unbound neutrons and protons. It is the energy equivalent of the mass defect

17. MASS DEFECT
Difference between the actual
mass of an atom and the sum
of the masses of its protons,
neutrons, and electrons.
Mass defect is determined as
the difference between the
atomic mass observed (Mo)
and expected by the combined
masses of its protons (mp,
every proton has a mass of
1.00728 AMU) and neutrons

18. CALCULATIONS FOR MASS DEFECT & BINDING ENERGY
In short, the mass of atom is not
equal to the mass of nucleus because
of the nuclear energy released. The
difference of the mass is mass defect
To calculate binding energy, we must first
obtain the mass defect, then insert it into the
following equation

19. ATOMIC OR NUCLEAR DECAY
Nuclear decay occurs when the nucleus of
an atom is unstable and spontaneously
emits energy in the form of radiation. The
result is that the nucleus changes into the
nucleus of one or more other elements.
These daughter nuclei have a lower mass
and are more stable (lower in energy) than
the parent nucleus. Nuclear decay is also
called radioactive decay, and it occurs in a
series of sequential reactions until a stable
nucleus is reached.

20. TYPES OF NUCLEAR DECAY
Alpha decay produces a helium-4 nucleus, which is also known as an alpha particle. The daughter nucleus
therefore contains two fewer protons and two fewer neutrons than the parent. This type of emission is
commonly observed in nuclei where the atomic mass is 200 or greater.

21. TYPES OF NUCLEAR DECAY
Beta decay is commonly observed in nuclei that have a large number of neutrons. A neutron is split into a
proton and a high-energy electron (called the beta particle), the latter of which is ejected from the nucleus.

22. TYPES OF NUCLEAR DECAY
Electron capture occurs when an electron in the
inner shell combines with a proton to form a neutron.
Once there is an opening in the inner shell, a second
electron will move down to a lower energy state,
leading to emission of an X-ray.
Gamma emission is unique in that it does not
necessarily change one element into another. Often,
the products of nuclear decay reactions are formed in
an excited state. Similar to the way an electron in an
excited state will emit energy as it returns to the
ground state, the daughter nuclei release a high-
energy photon (a gamma ray) as it reaches its stable
form. This process may take place instantaneously or
several hours after the first nuclear reaction has taken
place, depending on the element.

23. TYPES OF NUCLEAR DECAY
Positron emission can be thought of as the opposite of
beta decay. A proton is split to make a neutron and a
positron. (A positron has the same mass as an electron,
but the opposite charge.) The positron is then ejected
from the nucleus. Positron emission tomography (PET)
is commonly used in medicine.
Spontaneous fission occurs when a nucleus breaks
completely, creating two separate pieces with different
atomic numbers and atomic masses. An element
must be very massive and have a high neutron-to-
proton ratio in order to undergo spontaneous fission.
Fission emits a large amount of energy.

24. RADIOACTIVE HALF LIFE
The half-life of a radioactive element is the
time that it takes for half the nuclei in the
sample to decay in a first-order reaction.
The half-life of a radioisotope can be
fractions of a second or millions of years,
depending on the element.
Half-life (t 1/2) is defined as the time taken
for half of the original number of atoms in a
radioactive sample to disintegrate. The half-
life remains constant. Even if the sample
has undergone one half-life, the time period
for the next half-life remains unchanged.

25. 02
ADVANTAGE
Advantage of nuclear energy

26. ADVANTAGES :
Clean and efficient energy Cancer treatment
In a nuclear reactor, uranium atoms are split
in a chain reaction that produces heat, which
is then used to spin turbines and produce
electricity.Nuclear energy does not produce
greenhouse gases and other pollutants
This technique is known as radiation therapy, in
which radioactive substances are injected into
the body to kill cancer cells. Apart from that,
nuclear technology is also used in medical
imaging, such as CT scans and PET scans.

27. ADVANTAGES :
Enables scientific research Security and defense technology
The benefits of nuclear power have also
enabled much scientific research and space
exploration. Nuclear technology is used to
build space telescopes, send spacecraft to
other planets, and develop technology to
explore outer space.
The development and testing of nuclear materials
to ensure the safety and effectiveness of nuclear
weapons. Apart from that, nuclear technology is
also used in the development of defense
technology and systems, such as rocket launchers
and submarines.
*Chernobyl and Fukushima

28. 03
Disadvantage
Disadvantage of nuclear energy

29. DISADVANTAGES :
High Environmental Impact Non-Renewable Fuel Source
Mining and water discharge damage the
environment. The uranium mining required
by nuclear energy damages the environment
and risks contaminating the surrounding
area with arsenic and radon.
Nuclear power uses fuel, uranium, exists
in geological formations like coal and is
likewise limited.

30. DISADVANTAGES :
Storing waste problem Risk of catastrophe
Nuclear power produce
radioactive waste. This toxic
byproduct remains harmful
for thousands of years.
Radiation from a nuclear meltdown can exact
a devastating toll on human life and the
environment. Even though nuclear power
remains much less deadly than fossil fuels,
high-profile disasters are stark reminders of
the dangers inherent in industrial energy
production.

31. THANKS!
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