POGIL: Nuclear Fission and Fusion Thus far we have studied three types of nuclear reactions: alpha decay,

beta decay, and gamma decay. There are two other types of nuclear reactions that can occur. These reactions play an important role in energy production, diplomacy, and even the maintenance of life itself. Who wouldn't want to study these reactions? The Binding Energy Curve We have already learned how to calculate the average binding energy per nucleon for an atomic nucleus based on its mass defect. This process was laborious, but fortunately kind physicists of laboratories around the world have already done this for us so that we wouldn't have to. The following graph shows a plot of the average binding energy per nucleon vs. number of nucleons for naturally occurring isotopes.

1. Briefly describe the shape of this curve.

2. Which isotope(s) would require the most energy to extract a nucleon? 3. Which isotope(s) would require the least energy to extract a nucleon? 4. Which isotopes tend to have the lowest average binding energies? Suggest a reason for this.

5. Which isotope has the highest average binding energy per nucleon?

6. Why does the average binding energy decrease with the number of nucleons at the far right of the curve? (Hint: Think of the number of protons)

7. From the information on the chart, estimate the total binding energy of the following nuclei. (a) 3 Li

(b)

56

Fe

(c)

235

Nuclear Fission Reactions The following nuclear equation describes the first fission reaction ever discovered in the 1930's. n238 U 145 Ba 94 Kr The symbol n stands for a neutron. The following chart shows the rest masses of the participants in this reaction. Particle or Nucleus Rest Energy (u) n
238 145 94

1.009 238.0508 144.927 94 (approx.)

Ba

Kr

8. Why would we use the word fission to describe this reaction?

9. Calculate the following energies in megaelectron volts. Use the fact that 1 u of mass is equivalent to 931.5 MeV. (a) the total rest energy of all products in the reaction.

(b) the total rest energy of all reactants in the reaction.

(c) the change in energy during the reaction.

10. Does the fission reaction above release energy or absorb energy? Justify your answer.

11. Nuclei with more than 56 nucleons tend to undergo fission reactions. Looking at the average binding energy curve, why is this?

Nuclear Fission Reactions The following nuclear equation describes a fusion reaction.
3

He He He H H

The following chart shows the rest masses of the participants in this reaction. Particle or Nucleus
3 4

Rest Energy (u) 3.016 4.0026 1.007

He He H

12. Why would we use the word fusion to describe this reaction?

13. Producing fusion reactions requires high temperatures. Why?

14. Calculate the following energies in megaelectron volts. Use the fact that 1 u of mass is equivalent to 931.5 MeV. (a) the total rest energy of all products in the reaction.

(b) the total rest energy of all reactants in the reaction.

(c) the change in energy during the reaction.

15. Does the fusion reaction above release energy or absorb energy? Justify your answer.

16. Nuclei with less than 56 nucleons tend to undergo fusion reactions. Looking at the average binding energy curve, why is this?

17. 56Fe will not undergo fission or fusion. Why?