Name an element used as fuel in a nuclear fission reactor.
Explain what is meant by a fission chain reaction.
Explain why nuclear waste containing fission products must be shielded and stored securely for a very long period.
Some nuclear reactors use water as a moderator. Describe the main purpose of a moderator.
The power output of the reactor is controlled using control rods. Explain how inserting control rods affects the rate of nuclear fission.
A nuclear reactor is cooled with carbon dioxide gas.
The carbon dioxide enters the reactor core at 280∘C280^\circ\text{C}280∘C.
What is this entry temperature in kelvin?
The gas enters at a pressure of 3.50 MPa and leaves the reactor core at a temperature of 850 K.
Calculate the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas as it leaves the reactor core. Assume that the volume of the gas does not change.
22 exam-style questions on Edexcel IGCSE Physics Fission and fusion. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.