Physics HL
Physics HL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Unveiling Atoms: From Plücker's Discovery to Modern Models
Understanding Nuclear Notation: Dive Into Atomic Structure
The Groundbreaking Geiger-Marsden-Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment
Unlocking Nuclear Density: From Nucleons to Rutherford's Discoveries
Unveiling Sunlight's Mysteries: The Story Of Emission & Absorption Spectra
Unraveling The Atom: Bohr's Revolution Beyond Rutherford's Model
Unraveling the Bohr Model: Insights into Hydrogen's Energy Levels
Unlocking the Secrets: Bohr Model & Spectra Insights
The Ultraviolet Catastrophe: Planck’s Revolutionary Breakthrough
Unraveling Einstein's Explanation of The Photoelectric Effect
Unlocking Einstein's Photoelectric Equation Secrets
Unraveling the Mystery: Millikan's Photoelectric Experiment & Wave-Particle Duality
Unraveling Compton's Pioneering X-ray Experiments
Unveiling Photon-Matter Interactions: Beyond Compton & Photoelectric Effects
De Broglie Hypothesis: Matter Waves and Quantum Revelations
Unraveling The Davisson-Germer Experiment: Nobel-Prize Worthy Discoveries
Unveiling Radioactivity: Serendipity in Science's Evolution
Isotopes & Isotones: Understanding Chemical Properties
Understanding Radioactive Decay: From Parent To Daughter Nuclide
Unlocking Radioactive Decay: Alpha, Beta, Gamma Explained!
Understanding Alpha Decay: From Uranium-232 To Radon-222
Beta (β) Decay: Understanding Its 3 Types and Importance
Gamma-Photon Emission: Insights Into Cobalt-59 Decay
Discrete Nuclear Energy Levels: Understanding Gamma Emission
Continuous Beta Decay Spectra vs. Alpha Decay Energy
Ionizing Radiation Properties: Understanding Alpha, Beta & Gamma
Understanding The Strong Nuclear Force: Beyond Gravitational & Electromagnetic Interactions
Understanding Mass Defect & Nuclear Binding Energy
Understanding Nuclear Mass: From Atomic Units To Energy
Understanding Binding Energy Per Nucleon: Key To Nuclear Stability
Unraveling the Strong Nuclear Force: The Rutherford Revelation
Understanding Nuclear Stability: Insights from Binding Energy & Decay
Understanding Radioactive Half-Life: From Basics To Applications
Unlocking Radioactivity: Instruments & Intricacies Explained
Understanding Activity Vs. Count Rate In Radioactivity
Unlocking The Mysteries Of Background Radiation
Unlocking Time's Secrets: The Science Of Radioactive Dating
Unlocking The Power: Radioactive Nuclides In Medical Diagnosis & Therapy
Unlocking Industrial Uses Of Radioactive Materials
Understanding Radioactive Decay: The Fundamental Law & Implications
Understanding Decay Constant: The Nuance Of Nuclear Decay Probability
Decoding Half-Life: Dive Into Phosphorus-32 Decay Analysis
Unveiling The Secrets: Long Half-Lives & Thorium-232 Explained
Discovering Half-Life: Lab Methods & Radioactive Decay Analysis
Decay Chains & Radioactive Dating: From Uranium To Lead
Elise Meitner: The Unsung Pioneer Of Nuclear Fission
Nuclear Fission: Spontaneous Vs. Induced Processes
Unlocking Nuclear Energy: The Uranium-235 Fission Process
Chain Reactions: The Heart of Nuclear Energy Production
Unlocking Nuclear Secrets - The PWR Reactor Explained!
Understanding Neutron Moderation In Power Stations
Control Rods: Key To Regulating Reactor Power Output
Understanding Heat Exchangers In Nuclear Power Stations
Safeguarding Nuclear Reactors: Key Protective Measures
Unlocking The Complexities Of Nuclear Waste Management
Sun's Energy Secret: The Role of Fusion in Stellar Power
Unraveling The Proton-Proton Cycle: Stellar Nuclear Fusion
Unlocking The Secrets Of Stars: The Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram Explored
Stellar Evolution: The Role of Interstellar Medium & Mass
Evolution Of Moderate Mass Stars: Unveiling The Mysteries Of White Dwarfs
Stellar Evolution: The Journey From Massive Stars To Black Holes
Unlocking Space: Understanding Astrophysics Distance Units
Stellar Parallax: Unlocking Secrets of Star Distances
Unlocking Stellar Secrets: How Black-Body Radiation Defines Star Properties
IB Resources
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Physics HL
Physics HL

Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics

Nuclear Fission: Spontaneous Vs. Induced Processes

Word Count Emoji
639 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

✨ Fun Fact: Fission is like a chocolate bar. Sometimes it breaks on its own (spontaneously), and sometimes you snap it in half (induced) to enjoy with a friend. Both ways, there's energy released!

What is Nuclear Fission?

  • It's the big break-up of a heavy atomic nucleus into smaller ones.
  • Happens when you have a super heavy element (like the strong man of the atomic world) with a nucleon number greater than 230.

Two Types of Nuclear Fission

Spontaneous Fission

  • Like when you spontaneously decide to dance in your room. This type of fission happens all on its own!

  • 📖 Definition: A rare type of radioactive decay where the big nucleus just breaks into smaller ones and releases extra particles.

  • These extra party crashers are usually neutrons.

  • Result: The smaller nuclei have a better proton:neutron ratio—making them feel a bit more "stable" (though not perfectly).

Real-World Example

  • Seen in natural elements like Thorium-232, Uranium-235, and Uranium-238.
  • More common in lab-made elements in the actinide and transactinide families of the Periodic Table (the heavyweights!).
  • Fun comparison: Imagine Thorium and Uranium more likely to sing (alpha emission) than dance (fission) on their own. But evidence shows they have occasionally danced throughout Earth's history.
  • Quick time check: Alpha singing happens every 700 million years, while the spontaneous fission dance is a rare event every 11 billion years.

Neutron-induced Fission

  • This is like a nudge from a friend making you slide on a dance floor.

  • 📖 Definition: A neutron from outside crashes the nucleus party, making the nucleus unstable and leading to a fission.

Real-World Example

  • This is the star of the show in nuclear engineering.
  • It's like starting a fire. An initial neutron is the spark, and the emission of more neutrons keeps the fire going. This creates a chain reaction, which is the basis of nuclear power plants.
  • Important: This isn't a normal radioactive decay. It's like a special invite-only party and is more of a "nuclear reaction."

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IB Resources
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Physics HL
Physics HL

Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics

Nuclear Fission: Spontaneous Vs. Induced Processes

Word Count Emoji
639 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

✨ Fun Fact: Fission is like a chocolate bar. Sometimes it breaks on its own (spontaneously), and sometimes you snap it in half (induced) to enjoy with a friend. Both ways, there's energy released!

What is Nuclear Fission?

  • It's the big break-up of a heavy atomic nucleus into smaller ones.
  • Happens when you have a super heavy element (like the strong man of the atomic world) with a nucleon number greater than 230.

Two Types of Nuclear Fission

Spontaneous Fission

  • Like when you spontaneously decide to dance in your room. This type of fission happens all on its own!

  • 📖 Definition: A rare type of radioactive decay where the big nucleus just breaks into smaller ones and releases extra particles.

  • These extra party crashers are usually neutrons.

  • Result: The smaller nuclei have a better proton:neutron ratio—making them feel a bit more "stable" (though not perfectly).

Real-World Example

  • Seen in natural elements like Thorium-232, Uranium-235, and Uranium-238.
  • More common in lab-made elements in the actinide and transactinide families of the Periodic Table (the heavyweights!).
  • Fun comparison: Imagine Thorium and Uranium more likely to sing (alpha emission) than dance (fission) on their own. But evidence shows they have occasionally danced throughout Earth's history.
  • Quick time check: Alpha singing happens every 700 million years, while the spontaneous fission dance is a rare event every 11 billion years.

Neutron-induced Fission

  • This is like a nudge from a friend making you slide on a dance floor.

  • 📖 Definition: A neutron from outside crashes the nucleus party, making the nucleus unstable and leading to a fission.

Real-World Example

  • This is the star of the show in nuclear engineering.
  • It's like starting a fire. An initial neutron is the spark, and the emission of more neutrons keeps the fire going. This creates a chain reaction, which is the basis of nuclear power plants.
  • Important: This isn't a normal radioactive decay. It's like a special invite-only party and is more of a "nuclear reaction."

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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