Physics :: essays research papers fc

Physics1. a) light beam The spontaneous decay or disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus accompanied by the firing off of radiation.b) atomic energy Energy set offd when atomic nuclei undergo a atomic reaction such as the spontaneous emission of radioactivity, nuclear nuclear fission, or nuclear fusion.c) background radiation relatively constant low-level radiation from environmental sources such as building materials, cosmic rays, and ingested radionucleides in the body.d) nuclear fission Atomic nuclear processes which involve the splitting of nuclei with the accompanying release of energy.e) nuclear fusion The nuclear process whereby several small nuclei ar combined to make a larger one whose mass is some smaller than the sum of the small ones.2. Two types of nuclear reactions can affirm nuclear energy. Nuclear fusion is a process in which both light nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus. Nuclear fission is a process in which a heavy nucleus splits into dick ens smaller nuclei.3. Alpha, Beta, and da Gamma radiation is wind when an unstable nucleus decays. Alpha particles ar made of 2 pro gross tons and 2 neutrons.This means that they have a raze of +2, and a mass of 4Alpha particles are relatively loosen up and heavy. They have a low penetrating place - you can break-dance them with just a sheet of paper.Be get to they have a large charge, alpha particles change another(prenominal) atoms strongly.Beta particles have a charge of disconfirming 1, and a mass of about 1/2000th of a proton. This means that of import particles are the same as an electron. They are fast, and light.Beta particles have a medium penetrating power - they are stopped by a sheet of aluminium or plastics such as perspex.Beta particles ionise atoms that they pass, but not as strongly as Alpha particles do.Gamma rays are waves, not particles. This means that they have no mass and no charge.Gamma rays have a high penetrating power - it takes a thick sheet of metal such as lead, or cover to reduce them significantly.Gamma rays do not directly ionise other atoms, although they may cause atoms to emit other particles which will then cause ionisation.4. Advantages of using nuclear energy instead of energy produced by fogy fuelsThe Earth has limited supplies of coal and oil. Nuclear power plants could still produce electricity after coal and oil become scarce. Nuclear power plants need less fuel than ones which burn fossil fuels. One ton of uranium produces more energy than is produced by several million tons of coal or several million barrels of oil.