SME
Grade 10 Science · Problem type
Alpha, beta, fission or fusion?
Use this for “Which equation shows fission?” and “Why is fusion a cleaner source of energy than fission?”
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What kind of nuclear change is it?
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Assumptions
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Mass numbers and atomic numbers balance in every nuclear equation.
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Fusion’s fuel, deuterium, comes from seawater, and it leaves little long-lived waste; fission leaves waste that stays radioactive for thousands of years.
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Related lessons
Nuclear chemistry: radioactive decay, half-life, fission and fusion
Main lesson
Alpha decay
Use this for “Uranium-238 gives off an alpha particle. What nucleus is left?”
Beta decay
Use this for “Carbon-14 gives off a beta particle. What nucleus is left?”
Fission of uranium-235
Use this for “U-235 takes in a neutron and splits into Ba-141, a second nucleus and 3 neutrons. What is the second nucleus?”
The mass defect: where the energy comes from
Use this for “U-238 gives off an alpha particle. How much mass is lost, and how much energy is released?”