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Question
Explain the processes of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion by using the plot of binding energy per nucleon (BE/A) versus the mass number A
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Solution
A plot of binding energy per nucleon (BE/A) versus the mass number A
As we move from heavy nuclei region to the middle region of the plot, there is a gain in the overall binding energy and hence, in the release of energy. This indicates that energy can be released when a heavy nucleus breaks into roughly two equal fragments.This process is called nuclear fission.
When we move from lighter nuclei to heavier nuclei, there will be the gain in the overall binding energy and release of energy. This is called nuclear fusion
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RELATED QUESTIONS
How long can an electric lamp of 100W be kept glowing by fusion of 2.0 kg of deuterium? Take the fusion reaction as
\[\ce{^2_1H + ^2_1H -> ^3_1He + n + 3.27 MeV}\]
Calculate the height of the potential barrier for a head on collision of two deuterons.
(Hint: The height of the potential barrier is given by the Coulomb repulsion between the two deuterons when they just touch each other. Assume that they can be taken as hard spheres of radius 2.0 fm.)
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Free 238U nuclei kept in a train emit alpha particles. When the train is stationary and a uranium nucleus decays, a passenger measures that the separation between the alpha particle and the recoiling nucleus becomes x in time t after the decay. If a decay takes place when the train is moving at a uniform speed v, the distance between the alpha particle and the recoiling nucleus at a time t after the decay, as measured by the passenger will be
Calculate the Q-values of the following fusion reactions :-
(a) `""_1^2H + ""_1^2H → ""_1^3H + ""_1^1H`
(b) `""_1^2H + ""_1^2H → ""_2^3H + n`
(c) `""_1^2H + ""_1^3H → _2^4H + n`.
Atomic masses are `m(""_1^2H) = 2.014102 "u", m(""_1^3H) = 3.016049 "u", m(""_2^3He) = 3.016029 "u", m(""_2^4He) = 4.002603 "u".`
(Use Mass of proton mp = 1.007276 u, Mass of `""_1^1"H"` atom = 1.007825 u, Mass of neutron mn = 1.008665 u, Mass of electron = 0.0005486 u ≈ 511 keV/c2,1 u = 931 MeV/c2.)
Why nuclear fusion reaction is also called thermo-nuclear reaction?
A slab of stone of area 0.36 m2 and thickness 0.1 m is exposed on the lower surface to steam at 100°C. A block of ice at 0°C rests on the upper surface of the slab. In one hour 4.8 kg of ice is melted. The thermal conductivity of the slab is:
(Given latent heat of fusion of ice = 3.36 × 105 J kg−1)
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How long can an electric lamp of 1000 W be kept glowing by fusion of 2.0 kg of deuterium? Take the fusion reaction as:
\[{}_{1}^{2}\mathrm{H}+{}_{1}^{2}\mathrm{H}\rightarrow{}_{2}^{3}\mathrm{He}+\mathrm{n}+3.27\mathrm{MeV}\]
