(a) Explain: (i) nuclear fission; (ii) nuclear fusion.
(b)(i) State three applications of atomic energy.
(ii) Define State. life.
(iii) Give the expression that relates the halflife, T, and the decay constant, X, of a radioactive material.
(c) A radioactive element X with atomic number 88 and mass number 226 emits in succession:
(i) an alpha particle, (ii) a beta particle and (iii) gamma radiation. Explain, using equations where necessary, the changes that take place in the atomic structure of the element at each stage.
a)(i) Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus is split into different lighter nuclei emitting neutrons with the release of a large amount of energy.
(ii) Nuclear fusion is a nuclear reaction between two light nuclei at high temperatures formic a heavier nucleus with the release of a large amount of energy.
(b)(i) Applications of atomic energy are:
- for the production of nuclear weapons for warfare
- in the generation of electric power
- for health diagnosis and radiotherapy
- to detect leakages. In underground pipes carrying oils or gases.
(ii) Half life is the time required for radioactive substance to decay to half of its original quantity.
(iii) T = \(\frac{0.693}{\lambda}\)
(c)(i) \(^{226}_{88} X \) ---> \(^{222}_{88} Y + ^4_2He\)
By the emission of \(\alpha\) the mass number of X decreases by 4 the atomic number by 2 to give daughter nucleus Y
(ii) \(^{222}_{86} Y \) ---> \(^{222}_{87} Z + ^0_{-1} e\)
By the emission of \(\beta\) particle the mass number of Y is unchanged while the atomic number of Y is unchanged while the atomic number is increased by 1.
(iii) \(^{226}_{87} Z \) ---> \(^{222}_{87} Z + ^0_0\gamma\) By emission of \(\gamma\) radiation, the mass and atomic number of Z remain unchanged.
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