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6.2 Uses and hazards

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Question 13
H

In a sample of uranium-235, one nucleus absorbs a neutron and undergoes fission. This is the first generation. Each fission releases 3 neutrons. Of these, 2 neutrons are absorbed by other uranium-235 nuclei and cause fission. The third neutron escapes from the sample. This pattern continues in every generation. Each fission releases 3.2 × 10-11 J of energy.

a.

Calculate the total number of fissions in the first four generations.

[2]
b.

Calculate the total energy released in the first four generations.

[1]
c.

Explain why the number of fissions increases from one generation to the next, and describe what would happen to the rate of fission if, on average, only one neutron from each fission caused another fission.

[3]
Markscheme

6.2 Uses and hazards Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /6.2 Uses and hazards

48 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Physics 6.2 Uses and hazards, covering 6.2.1 Contamination and irradiation, 6.2.2 Half-life and radiation hazards, 6.2.3 Medical uses of nuclear radiation, 6.2.4 Nuclear fission and chain reactions, and 6.2.5 Nuclear fusion. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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