The isotope plutonium-239 is represented by:
94239Pu ^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} 94239PuState what the numbers 94 and 239 represent in this symbol.
Plutonium-239 is a fuel that can be used in nuclear reactors.
State the name of the process by which energy is released from plutonium-239 in a nuclear reactor.
A nuclide equation for one possible reaction is:
94239Pu+01n→52134Te+42103Mo+3 01n ^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{134}_{52}\text{Te} + ^{103}_{42}\text{Mo} + 3\ ^{1}_{0}\text{n} 94239Pu+01n→52134Te+42103Mo+3 01nDescribe the mass and energy changes that take place during this reaction.
Describe how the thermal energy released from nuclear reactions in a nuclear power station is converted into electrical energy.
State one major advantage and one major disadvantage of using nuclear fuels over fossil fuels to generate electricity.
170 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.