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This question is about nuclear reactions - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 3
This question is about nuclear reactions. (a) When a uranium-235 (U-235) nucleus absorbs a neutron, the nucleus splits into smaller parts. This reaction is called ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about nuclear reactions - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
How many daughter nuclei are produced from the fission of one nucleus of uranium-235 (U-235)?
Answer
When a uranium-235 nucleus undergoes fission, it typically produces two or three daughter nuclei. The most common outcome is three daughter nuclei, making the correct answer to this part of the question B three.
Step 2
Describe what is meant by a chain reaction.
Answer
A chain reaction refers to a process where the products of one reaction trigger additional reactions. In the context of nuclear fission, when a U-235 nucleus splits, it emits several neutrons.
These emitted neutrons can then collide with other U-235 nuclei, causing them to also undergo fission. This results in the release of more neutrons, which can continue to induce fission in nearby nuclei, leading to a self-sustaining and exponential increase in reactions.
A diagram may show a U-235 nucleus splitting and releasing neutrons that go on to cause further fissions, illustrating the repeating cycle of reactions.