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Radioactive waste from nuclear power stations is a man-made source of background radiation - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 5
Radioactive waste from nuclear power stations is a man-made source of background radiation. 5.1 Give one other man-made source of background radiation. 5.2 Nuclear... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Radioactive waste from nuclear power stations is a man-made source of background radiation - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 3
Describe the process of nuclear fission inside a nuclear reactor.
Answer
In a nuclear reactor, a neutron is absorbed by a uranium nucleus, causing the nucleus to become unstable. This instability leads the nucleus to split into two parts, resulting in the release of two or three additional neutrons and a significant amount of energy in the form of gamma rays. The released neutrons can then initiate fission in nearby nuclei, creating a chain reaction that produces a constant supply of energy.
Step 4
Explain how the process of nuclear fusion leads to the release of energy.
Answer
Nuclear fusion occurs when two lighter nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. During this process, a small amount of the mass of the initial nuclei is converted into energy, as described by Einstein’s equation, . This energy release is what makes fusion a potential source of power.
Step 5
Explain the advantage of the radioactive waste having a shorter half-life.
Answer
The advantage of radioactive waste having a shorter half-life is that its activity decreases more quickly. This means that the radiation hazard it poses diminishes rapidly over time, reducing the risk of harm and the duration for which it needs to be monitored or stored safely.