Themes > Science > Chemistry > Nuclear Chemistry > Nuclear Reactions > Nuclear Reactions


Nuclear Reactions

The bombardment of an atomic nucleus with neutrons can result in nuclear fission.  On common example of nuclear fission is seen when uranium-235 splits in barium-141 and krypton-92.  Uranium-235 can also split into other elements.  Other unstable nuclei such as plutonium-239 can split in a variety of ways when struck by a neutron.

Like nuclear fission, nuclear fusion has more than one possibility.  In nuclear fusion, two smaller nuclei fuse to form a larger nucleus.  For example, in the sun three separate fusion reactions take place.  As a result of these reactions smaller hydrogen nuclei are fused into large helium nuclei.

Complete the following fission reactions:

neutron + uranium-235  à  barium-141  + krypton-92  +   ________neutrons

neutron  +  uranium-235   à   neodymium-152  +  ___________  +  4 neutrons

neutron  +  plutonium-239  à  __________  +   zirconium-97   +  2 neutrons

Complete the following fusion reactions:

hydrogen-2  +  hydrogen-2  à  helium-3  +  _________

helium-3   +   helium-3   à  _______  +  2 hydrogen-1

helium-3  +   hydrogen-2   à   helium-4  +  ________

Complete the following decay reactions:

uranium-238   à   8 alpha   +  6  beta  +   ________________

thorium-232   à   6 alpha   +   _________beta  +    lead-208

thorium-234  à   _______ alpha  +  4 beta  +  radon-218

plutonium-240  + electron capture  à  ________________ 


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