Concept explainers
(a)
Calculate the energy in kWh released by the fission of
(a)
Answer to Problem 34P
Energy released is
Explanation of Solution
Write the equation to find the number of Pu nuclei in one kilogram.
Here,
Write the equation to find the energy released.
Here,
Conclusion:
Substitute
Substitute
Thus, the energy released is
(b)
Energy in MeV in D-T fusion.
(b)
Answer to Problem 34P
Energy released is
Explanation of Solution
Write the equation for mass-energy equivalence.
Here,
Write the equation for
Rewrite the equation for
Conclusion:
Substitute
Thus, the energy released is
(c)
Energy in kWh released during in deuterium fusion.
(c)
Answer to Problem 34P
Energy released is
Explanation of Solution
Write the equation to find the energy released in deuterium fusion.
Here,
Write the equation to find
Here,
Rewrite the equation for
Conclusion:
Substitute
Thus, the energy released is
(d)
Energy released in the combustion process.
(d)
Answer to Problem 34P
Energy released is
Explanation of Solution
Write the equation to find the energy released during the combustion.
Here,
Write the equation to find
Here,
Rewrite the equation for
Conclusion:
Substitute
Thus, the energy released is
(e)
Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear fission, fusion and the combustion.
(e)
Answer to Problem 34P
Nuclear fission uses only less fuel, but produce radioactive pollutants, fusion gives clean and safe energy, but technology is insufficient and in case of combustion, method is cheap and no series safety issues, but air pollution is severe.
Explanation of Solution
The advantage of nuclear fission process is that energy can be constructed without less environmental damage compared to that of working of a hydrothermal power generation. Another point is that it uses only very less amount of fuel. But it accompanies certain disadvantages too. First one is that it produces radioactive pollutants. It is a very risky challenge to properly dispose it. Another point is that the fuel must be highly purified.
Nuclear fusion is process which requires temperatures of order of million kelvins. Current technology is insufficient to produce energy using fusion. Moreover, plant production cost must be very high than nuclear fission power plants. Also, it requires lithium and helium s fuel for superconducting magnets. Both are very rare resources. It accompanies also huge thermal pollution. But safety wise and pollution, fusion is far better than other processes.
Combustion is a cheap way of energy production and safety is not a serious issue. The main disadvantage is the heavy air pollution.
Thus, nuclear fission uses only less fuel, but produce radioactive pollutants, fusion gives clean and safe energy, but technology is insufficient and in case of combustion, method is cheap and no series safety issues, but air pollution is severe.
Conclusion:
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Chapter 14 Solutions
EBK MODERN PHYSICS
- The annual radiation dose from 14C in our bodies is 0.01 mSv/y. Each 14C decay emits a averaging 0.0750 MeV. Taking the fraction of 14C to be 1.31012N of normal 12C, and assuming the body is 13% carbon, estimate the fraction of the decay energy absorbed. (The rest escapes, exposing those close to you.)arrow_forward(a) Find the total energy released in MeV in each carbon cycle (elaborated in the above problem) including the annihilation energy. (b) How does this compare with the protonproton cycle output?arrow_forward(a) How many 239Pu nuclei must fission to produce a 20.0kT yield, assuming 200 MeV per fission? (b) What is the mass of this much 239Pu?arrow_forward
- (a) Background radiation due to 226Ra averages only 0.01 mSv/y, but it can range upward depending on where a 226Ra in the 80.0kg body of a man who receives a dose of 2.50mSv/y from it, noting that each 226Ra decay emits a 4.80MeV particle. You may person lives. Find the mass of neglect dose due to daughters and assume a constant amount, evenly distributed due to balanced ingestion and handily elimination. (b) Is it surprising that such a small mass could cause a measurable radiation dose? Explain.arrow_forwardShow that the total energy released in the proton—proton cycle is 26.7 MeV, considering the overall effect in 1H+1H2H+e++ve,1H+2H3He+, and 3H+3He4He+1H+1H and being certain to include the annihilation energy.arrow_forward(a) Calculate the energy released in the neutroninduced fission reaction n+239Pu96Sr+140Ba+4n, given m(96Sr)=95.921750u and m(140Ba)=139.910581u. (b) Confirm that the total number of nucleons and total charge are conserved in this reaction.arrow_forward
- Show that the total energy released in the proton- proton chain is 26.7 MeV, considering the overall effect in 1H+1H2H+e++ve , 1H+2H3He+ , and 3He+3He4He+1H+1H. Be sure to include the annihilation energy.arrow_forwardNaturally occurring 40K is listed as responsible for 16 mrem/y of background radiation. Calculate the mass of 40K that must be inside the 55kg body of a woman to produce this dose. Each 40K decay emits a 1.32MeV , and 50% of the energy is absorbed inside the body.arrow_forwardAssume onefourth of the yield of a typical 320kT strategic bomb comes from fission reactions averaging 200 MeV and the remainder from fusion reactions averaging 20 MeV. (a) Calculate the number of fissions and the approximate mass of uranium and plutonium fissioned, taking the average atomic mass to be 238. (b) Find the number of fusions and calculate the approximate mass of fusion fuel, assuming an average total atomic mass of the two nuclei in each reaction to be 5. (c) Considering the masses found, does it seem reasonable that some missiles could carry 10 warheads? Discuss, noting that the nuclear fuel is only a part of the mass of a warhead.arrow_forward
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