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Fission and fusion

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Question 1

In a nuclear reactor, uranium-235 undergoes nuclear fission.

a.

Explain what is meant by a controlled nuclear chain reaction. Your explanation should describe:

  • How a chain reaction is initiated and sustained.
  • The specific purpose of the moderator.
  • The specific purpose of the control rods.
[4]
b.

The energy released during fission is converted into electricity. State the form of energy possessed by the fission products (daughter nuclei and neutrons) immediately after the fission reaction.

[1]
c.

State the primary useful form of energy at each of the following three stages in the power station's generation cycle:

  1. Energy of the high-pressure steam driving the turbine.
  2. Energy of the spinning turbine.
  3. Energy transmitted through the output transmission wires.
[3]

Fission and fusion Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Fission and fusion