21. Nuclear Chemistry

Identify the true statement about nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. (a) Nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons both use uranium enriched to about 90% U-235. (b) Nuclear power plants emit large amounts of CO2 just like coal burning power plants. (c) The United States produces less than 1% of its electrical power from nuclear energy. (d) A nuclear weapon explodes when two pieces of fission-able uranium-235 are pushed together to reach a critical mass.

Write the nuclear reaction for the neutron-induced fission of U-235 to form Xe-144 and Sr-90. How many neutrons are produced in the reaction?

Write the nuclear reaction for the neutron-induced fission of U-235 to produce Te-137 and Zr-97. How many neutrons are produced in the reaction?

Write the nuclear equation for the fusion of two H-2 atoms to form He-3 and one neutron.

Write the nuclear equation for the fusion of H-3 with H-1 to form He-4.

Complete and balance the nuclear equations for the following fission or fusion reactions: (a) 21H + 21H¡32He + _

Complete and balance the nuclear equations for the following fission reactions: (a) 23592U + 10n¡16062Sm + 7230Zn + _ 10n

The spent fuel elements from a fission reactor are much more intensely radioactive than the original fuel elements. (b) Given that only two or three neutrons are released per fission event and knowing that the nucleus undergoing fission has a neutron-to-proton ratio characteristic of a heavy nucleus, what sorts of decay would you expect to be dominant among the fission products?

Control rods in a nuclear reactor are often made of boron because it absorbs neutrons. Write the nuclear equation in which boron-10 absorbs a neutron to produce lithium-7 and an alpha particle.

What is the difference between uranium fuel rods in a nuclear power plant and uranium fuel for an atomic weapon?

Can fuel rods in a power plant be used to make an atomic weapon without further treatment? Explain.

What are the benefits of using fusion over fission as a source of nuclear energy? Why have fusion reactors not been developed yet?

Balance the following equations for the nuclear fission of 235U. (b)

Balance the following equations for the nuclear fission of 235U. (a)