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Chapter 11: Problem 23

What are fission fragments, and why are they so dangerous?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Fission fragments are smaller atomic nuclei formed during nuclear fission, the process where a heavy atomic nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei. These fragments are generally highly radioactive and unstable, emitting ionizing radiation that can damage living cells and lead to harmful biological effects. Fission fragments also pose a contamination risk to the environment if not properly contained due to their radioactive decay, which can have half-lives ranging from days to thousands of years.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Fission Fragments

Fission fragments are the smaller atomic nuclei formed when a heavy atomic nucleus undergoes nuclear fission, breaking into two or more smaller nuclei. These fragments are generally highly radioactive and unstable.
02

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavy atomic nucleus like Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239, for example, is bombarded with a neutron. The impact makes the heavy nucleus unstable and causes it to split into two or more smaller nuclei (fission fragments), releasing a large amount of energy. In addition to fission fragments, several free neutrons are also released, triggering a chain reaction of fission events if more fissile material is present.
03

Radioactivity of Fission Fragments

The smaller nuclei produced during nuclear fission are usually highly unstable and radioactive. These fission fragments undergo radioactive decay by emitting various types of ionizing radiation, like alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma radiation. As these fragments decay, they transform into more stable elements, but the decay process may involve a series of isotope decays, often with significant half-lives.
04

Dangers of Fission Fragments

Fission fragments are dangerous due to the ionizing radiation they emit during radioactive decay. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating charged ions and causing damage to living cells, which can lead to harmful biological effects, such as mutations, radiation sickness, or cancer. In addition, fission products can contaminate the environment if not properly contained and managed. This contamination can become a long-term hazard as the radioactive decay of several fission fragments can have half-lives ranging from days to thousands of years.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What aspect of nuclear fission makes it possible for a chain reaction to occur? What is the difference between a chain reaction in a bomb and one in a nuclear power plant?

There is much more uranium- 235 in a typical nuclear power plant than there was in the bomb that destroyed the city of Hiroshima. Why can't the reactor explode like an atomic bomb?

One-half of the nuclei of a given radioisotope decays during one half-life. Why doesn't the remaining half decay during the next halflife?

What was the source of the lightest nuclei, like deuterium, in the universe? Where were the rest of the elements in the periodic table through uranium produced?

Why are extremely high temperatures effective at causing fusion? What is used to produce such temperatures in a thermonuclear warhead?
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