Question
Explain nuclear energy.
✓
Answer
→The curve of binding energy per nucleon versus mass number A is shown in figure.
→The binding energy per nucleon is nearly constant ( 8 MeV ) in the region between $A =30$ to $A =170$.
→For the lighter nuclei region $A <30$ and for the heavier nuclei region $A >170$ the binding energy per nucleon is less than 8.0 MeV .
→If nuclei with less total binding energy transform to nuclei with greater binding energy there will be a net energy release.
→"When a heavy nucleus decays into two or more intermediate mass fragments, then the total binding energy increases. Energy is released during this process. This process is called nuclear fission".
→"When two or more light nucleus fuse into heavier nucleus then also the total binding energy increases. Due to this energy is realeased during this process. This process is called nuclear fusion".
→Exothermic chemical reactions underlie conventional energy sources such as coal or petroleum. Here the energies involved are in the range of electron volts. On the other hand, in a nuclear reaction, the energy release is of the order of MeV .
→ Thus for the same quantity of matter, nuclear sources produce a million $\left(10^6\right)$ times more energy than a chemical source.
→ For example :
→ Fission of 1 kg of uranium generates $10^{14} J$ of energy compare it with burning of 1 kg of coal that give $10^7 J$.
Need a full question paper?
Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.
Explore more
Similar questions
A short bar magnet placed with its axis at $30^{\circ}$ with a uniform external magnetic field of 0.25 T experiences a torque of magnitude equal to $4.5 \times 10^{-2} J$. What is the magnitude of magnetic moment of the magnet?
→Calculate the current through the circuit and the potential difference across the diode shown in figure. The drift current for the diode is $20\mu\text{A}.$
→
Draw the series L-C-R AC circuit and obtain the relationship between voltage and current for this circuit. (Derive the necessary equations.)
A gas is enclosed in a cylindrical vessel fitted with a frictionless piston. The gas is slowly heated for some time. During the process, 10J of heat is supplied and the piston is found to move out 10cm. Find the increase in the internal energy of the gas. The area of cross section of the cylinder = 4cm2 and the atmospheric pressure = 100kPa.
A heavy mass m is hanging from a string in equilibrium without breaking it. When this same mass is set into oscillation, the string breaks. Explain.
A sphere starts rolling down an incline of inclination $\theta.$ Find the speed of its centre when it has covered a distance l.
→A force F = a + bx acts on a particle in the x-direction, where a and b are constants. Find the work done by this force during a displacement from x = 0 to x = d.
Answer the following questions: In viewing through a magnifying glass, one usually positions one's eyes very close to the lens. Does angular magnification change if the eye is moved back?
Using Bohr’s postulates of the atomic model, derive the expression for radius of nth electron orbit. Hence obtain the expression for Bohr’s radius.
If a compressed spring is dissolved in acid, what happened to the elastic potential energy of the spring?