Photo AI
The fuel in a nuclear power station is an isotope of uranium - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2013 - Paper 1
Question 2
The fuel in a nuclear power station is an isotope of uranium. (a) The symbol for a nucleus of this uranium isotope is \(^{235}_{92}U\). (i) How many protons are th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The fuel in a nuclear power station is an isotope of uranium - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2013 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Name another particle in a nucleus of this isotope.
Answer
Another particle in the nucleus of this isotope is a neutron. For the isotope (^{235}_{92}U), the number of neutrons can be calculated as follows:
[ \text{Neutrons} = \text{Mass number} - \text{Protons} = 235 - 92 = 143 ]
Thus, there are 143 neutrons.
Step 3
Explain what happens when nuclear fission occurs.
Answer
During nuclear fission, the nucleus of a heavy atom, such as uranium-235, absorbs a neutron and becomes unstable. This instability causes the nucleus to split into two smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy, along with additional neutrons. These neutrons can then go on to induce fission in other nearby nuclei, creating a chain reaction that can produce a continuous source of energy.
Step 4
Explain how these rods stop the nuclear reaction from getting out of control.
Answer
Control rods are made from materials that absorb neutrons, such as boron or cadmium. By inserting these rods into the nuclear reactor, they can capture some of the free neutrons produced during fission, thereby reducing the number of neutrons available to continue the chain reaction. This helps to regulate the rate of the nuclear reaction, preventing it from becoming too intense or uncontrollable.