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Chapter 21: Problem 43

Define nuclear fusion, thermonuclear reaction, and plasma.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. A thermonuclear reaction is a nuclear fusion process that occurs at very high temperatures, such as in stars. Plasma is a state of matter consisting of a gas of ions and free electrons, and can be found in flames, lightning, and stars.

Step by step solution

01

Define Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is a process in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. This is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy depending on the masses of the nuclei involved. A common example of nuclear fusion is the process occurring in the sun and stars, where hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium.
02

Define Thermonuclear Reaction

A thermonuclear reaction is a nuclear fusion process that occurs at very high temperatures. These reactions occur in stellar interiors, including the sun, where temperatures reach millions of degrees. The high temperature and pressure allow for the overcoming of the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged nuclei to allow fusion to occur.
03

Define Plasma

Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter, along with solid, liquid, and gas. It consists of a gas of ions - atoms which have some of their orbital electrons removed - and free electrons. Plasma can be artificially produced by heating a neutral gas or subjecting it to a strong electromagnetic field. In nature, plasmas are found in flames, lightning, and the stars.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Explain why achievement of nuclear fusion in the laboratory requires a temperature of about 100 million degrees Celsius, which is much higher than that in the interior of the sun (15 million degrees Celsius).

The nucleus of nitrogen- 18 lies above the stability belt. Write an equation for a nuclear reaction by which nitrogen- 18 can achieve stability.

Nuclear waste disposal is one of the major concerns of the nuclear industry. In choosing a safe and stable environment to store nuclear wastes, consideration must be given to the heat released during nuclear decay. As an example, consider the \(\beta\) decay of \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Sr}\) \((89.907738 \mathrm{amu})\) $$ { }_{38}^{90} \mathrm{Sr} \longrightarrow{ }_{39}^{90} \mathrm{Y}+{ }_{-1}^{0} \beta \quad t_{\frac{1}{2}}=28.1 \mathrm{yr} $$ The \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Y}(89.907152 \mathrm{amu})\) further decays as follows: $$ { }_{39}^{90} \mathrm{Y} \longrightarrow{ }_{40}^{90} \mathrm{Zr}+{ }_{-1}^{0} \beta \quad t_{\frac{1}{2}}=64 \mathrm{~h} $$ Zirconium-90 (89.904703 amu) is a stable isotope. (a) Use the mass defect to calculate the energy released (in joules) in each of the preceding two decays. (The mass of the electron is \(5.4857 \times\) \(10^{-4}\) amu. ( b) Starting with 1 mole of \({ }^{90}\) Sr, calculate the number of moles of \(9^{9}\) Sr that will decay in a year. (c) Calculate the amount of heat released (in kilojoules) corresponding to the number of moles of \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Sr}\) decayed to \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Zr}\) in \((\mathrm{b})\)

Tritium contains one proton and two neutrons. There is no proton-proton repulsion present in the nucleus. Why, then, is tritium radioactive?

Identify two of the most abundant radioactive elements that exist on Earth. Explain why they are still present. (You may need to consult a handbook of chemistry.)
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