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Nuclear Fission and Fusion

NIOS · Class 12 · Physics

Flashcards for Nuclear Fission and Fusion — NIOS Class 12 Physics. Quick Q&A cards covering key concepts, definitions, and formulas.

45 questions32 flashcards5 concepts

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A diagram illustrating the nuclear fusion process, where two light nuclei combine under extreme conditions to form a heavier, more stable nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy.
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32 Flashcards
Card 1Chemical vs Nuclear Reactions

What is a nuclear reaction? How is it different from a chemical reaction?

Answer

A NUCLEAR REACTION involves the interaction of atomic nuclei, leading to formation of new elements (transmutation). Energy involved: ~MeV range. A CHEMICAL REACTION involves rearrangement of valence

Card 2Conservation Laws in Nuclear Reactions

State the four conservation laws for nuclear reactions.

Answer

In every nuclear reaction, the following quantities are CONSERVED: 1. MASS NUMBER (A): Sum of mass numbers of reactants = Sum of mass numbers of products Example: ⁴He + ¹⁴N → ¹⁷O + ¹H → 4+14 = 17+

Card 3Nuclear Reaction Completion

Complete the nuclear reaction: ₉F¹⁹ + ₁H¹ → ₈O¹⁶ + ? Identify the missing particle.

Answer

GIVEN: ₉F¹⁹ + ₁H¹ → ₈O¹⁶ + ? STEP 1 – Apply conservation of mass number (A): 19 + 1 = 16 + A_x A_x = 20 – 16 = 4 STEP 2 – Apply conservation of atomic number (Z): 9 + 1 = 8 + Z_x Z_x = 10 – 8 = 2 S

Card 4Nuclear Reaction Completion

Complete and identify the missing particle: ²⁷₁₃Al + ¹₀n → ? + ⁴₂He

Answer

GIVEN: ²⁷₁₃Al + ¹₀n → ? + ⁴₂He STEP 1 – Conservation of mass number (A): 27 + 1 = A_x + 4 A_x = 28 – 4 = 24 STEP 2 – Conservation of atomic number (Z): 13 + 0 = Z_x + 2 Z_x = 13 – 2 = 11 STEP 3 – I

Card 5Q-Value Calculation

Calculate the energy released in: ¹⁰₅B + ²₁D → 3 ⁴₂He + Q Given: m(¹⁰B) = 10.01294 u, m(²D) = 2.014103 u, m(⁴He) = 4.002604 u

Answer

GIVEN: m(¹⁰B) = 10.01294 u m(²D) = 2.014103 u m(⁴He) = 4.002604 u 1 u = 931.5 MeV/c² STEP 1 – Total mass of REACTANTS: M_reactants = 10.01294 + 2.014103 = 12.027043 u STEP 2 – Total mass of PRODUCTS

Card 6Nuclear Projectiles

Why are neutrons the BEST projectiles for producing nuclear reactions compared to protons or alpha particles?

Answer

Neutrons are the BEST projectiles because: 1. NO ELECTRIC CHARGE: Neutrons are neutral particles (charge = 0) → They do NOT experience Coulomb repulsion from the positively charged nucleus → Ev

Card 7Nuclear Fission

What is Nuclear Fission? Write the equation for fission of U-235 and state the key observations.

Answer

NUCLEAR FISSION: The process in which a heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei (fragments) when bombarded by a slow neutron, releasing enormous energy. KEY EQUATION: ²³⁵₉₂U + ¹₀n → ¹⁴¹₅₆Ba + ⁹²

Card 8Mechanism of Nuclear Fission

Who discovered nuclear fission and when? Describe the Liquid Drop Model of nuclear fission.

Answer

DISCOVERY: • 1938: Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann – showed barium (intermediate mass nucleus) is a product of neutron bombardment of Uranium • Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch – explained results using Li

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What are the important topics in Nuclear Fission and Fusion for NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Key topics in Nuclear Fission and Fusion include Nuclear Fission and Fusion — Complete Concept Map, Mind map showing the major topics covered in the chapter — fission, fusion, conservation laws, and applications, Flowchart comparing chemical and nuclear reactions based on which part of the atom interacts and the resulting energy scale. These are the concepts NIOS Class 12 examiners draw on most — study them first, then practise related questions.
How to score full marks in Nuclear Fission and Fusion — NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 45 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
How many flashcards are available for Nuclear Fission and Fusion?
There are 32 flashcards for Nuclear Fission and Fusion covering key definitions, formulas, and concepts. Use them daily for 10–15 minutes for best results.

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