7.2 – Nuclear Reactions

Brian Greene and E = mc²

Are these equations out there in the world for us to discover or are these equations invented by the human mind to articulate the patterns that we discover out there in the world? asks Brian Greene. The basis of this discussion of physic's most recognizable equation.

Einstein and His Famous Equation

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New nuclear fuel could replace uranium in reactorsNuclear power could become more accessible thanks to a new nuclear fuel called ANEEL that combines thorium with uranium.

A beneficial (?) use of nuclear bombs

How The Soviets Put Out Oil Well Fires by Using Nuclear Bombs

It’s Time to Expand Nuclear PowerFor decades, the development of nuclear power has sparked staunch debate among scientists, politicians, and activists alike. Proponents claim that nuclear energy is the most effective way to combat climate change while still meeting the world's growing demand for energy. But its critics argue that expanding nuclear energy is dangerous, costly, and ill-advised. Should nuclear energy fuel our future?

NOVA E = mc2 | PBS - NOVA E = mc2 | Janet ConradJanet Conrad, Experimental Physicist, Columbia University: "For me there's a lot more to the equation than E = mc2."

NOVA E = mc2 | PBS - NOVA E = mc2 | Brian GreeneBrian Greene, Theoretical Physicist, Columbia University: "It certainly is not an equation that reveals all its subtlety in the few symbols that it takes to write down."

Essential idea: Energy can be released in nuclear decays and reactions as a result of the relationship between mass and energy.

Nature of science:

Patterns, trends and discrepancies: Graphs of binding energy per nucleon and of neutron number versus proton number reveal unmistakable patterns. This allows scientists to make predictions of isotope characteristics based on these graphs. (3.1)

Understandings:

The unified atomic mass unit
Mass defect and nuclear binding energy
Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

Applications and skills:

Solving problems involving mass defect and binding energy
Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Sketching and interpreting the general shape of the curve of average binding energy per nucleon against nucleon number

Guidance:

Students must be able to calculate changes in terms of mass or binding energy
Binding energy may be defined in terms of energy required to completely separate the nucleons or the energy released when a nucleus is formed from its nucleons

Data booklet reference:

Theory of knowledge:

The acceptance that mass and energy are equivalent was a major paradigm shift in physics. How have other paradigm shifts changed the direction of science? Have there been similar paradigm shifts in other areas of knowledge?

Utilization:

Our understanding of the energetics of the nucleus has led to ways to produce electricity from nuclei but also to the development of very destructive weapons
The chemistry of nuclear reactions (see Chemistry option sub-topics C.3 and C.7)

Aims:

Aim 5: some of the issues raised by the use of nuclear power transcend national boundaries and require the collaboration of scientists from many different nations
Aim 8: the development of nuclear power and nuclear weapons raises very serious moral and ethical questions: who should be allowed to possess nuclear power and nuclear weapons and who should make these decisions? There are also serious environmental issues associated with the nuclear waste of nuclear power plants.

Activities:

Resources:

Video Resources - Andy's Physics Stuff
IB Resources:
- A summary of all notes that you need to know: IB Physics NOTES Topic 7
- Course Guide to Topic 7
Extensive Notes (ppt)

7.2: Nuclear Reactions

Practice Problems

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