Read the following passage and answer the accompanying questions - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 11 - 2007
Question 11
Read the following passage and answer the accompanying questions.
At present, nuclear fission reactors supply a sixth of the world’s electricity. Along with hydroel... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read the following passage and answer the accompanying questions - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 11 - 2007
Step 1
What is nuclear fission?
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Answer
Nuclear fission is the process of disintegration or the splitting of a large nucleus into two smaller nuclei along with a release of energy. This reaction typically involves the absorption of a neutron by a nucleus, which then becomes unstable and splits.
Step 2
How much energy is generated worldwide every minute by nuclear power today?
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Answer
Currently, nuclear power generates approximately 8,000 gigajoules per minute worldwide, which translates to about 1.8 × 10^7 joules per minute.
Step 3
At present, why is a fission reactor a more viable source of energy than a fusion reactor?
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Answer
Fission reactors are currently more viable as they can be controlled easily and have a well-established technology for initiating the reaction, while fusion reactors are still in the experimental stage and face significant technical challenges.
Step 4
Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen, what is an isotope?
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Answer
An isotope is a variant of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in its nucleus, which means it has a different atomic mass.
Step 5
What is the function of a moderator in a fission reactor?
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The function of a moderator in a fission reactor is to slow down the fast neutrons produced during fission to facilitate further reactions.
Step 6
Why is silicon a semiconductor?
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Silicon is a semiconductor because it has a resistivity that allows it to conduct electricity under certain conditions, which can be manipulated by adding impurities to change its conductivity.
Step 7
A large number of solar cells are joined together in series and cover an area of 20 m². The efficiency of the solar cell is 20%. If the solar constant is 1400 W m², what is the maximum power generated by the solar cells?
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Answer
The maximum power generated by the solar cells can be calculated as follows:
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Answer
The source of the sun’s energy is the process of nuclear fusion, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process.
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