SITI NORHAYATI MOHD MOKHTAR

CHAPTER 6 : NUCLEAR ENERGY

RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE : Substances which contain unstable nuclei
Types of radioactive radiations
Characteristics

Types of radioactive radiations

Alpha rays

Beta rays

Gamma rays

Type of particle
Charge
Speed of
movement
Penetration power
Can be stopped by
Deflection in
electric field

Proses R :

Penetration power of alpha , beta and gamma radiations

Deflection of radioactive rays in an electrical field

Uses of radiactive subtances

: study the
age of artifacts / fossils

: to detect
the leakage of underground
pipe

: to kill
cancer cells

: to treat
thyroid gland diseases

: to study
the absorption of fertilisers
by plants

: to
generate electrical
energy in nuclear
reactor

Exercise
2

The diagram shows the three types of radiation P, Q and R which emitted from a
radioactive
source.

Paper

Aluminium

Lead

(a) Name the three types of radiation P, Q and R.

P : ..

Q : .. R :

(b) Which type of the radiation above is positively charged?

(c) Arrange the three types of radiations in order of increasing velocity.

(d) Which type of radiation is not deflected by a magnetic field?

..
3. Fill in the blank on the uses of radioactive substances.

Agriculture

Archeology

(a)Phosphorus-32: .. (e)Carbon- 14:

.
.
(b)Gamma radiation:
..
2.
2.

Uses of Radioactive Substances

Industry
(c) Sodium-24:
...
(d) Beta particles: .
Production of nuclear energy
..
Nuclear fission

Medicine
(f)Cobalt-60: ...
.
(g)Uranium-235: ..
..
Nuclear fusion
2.
3

The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two

lighter nuclei

The combining of two light nuclei to

form a heavier nucleus

NUCLEAR FISSION
- A slow moving neutron collides with a uranium nucleus
- The neutron is absorbed
- The uranium nucleus becomes unstable and split into lighter nucleus
- At the same time , a few neutrons will also be released
- A lot of energy is released
- Neutrons released in single fission can collides again and produce more fission
in a
NUCLEAR FUSION

Deuterium and tritium ( lighter nuclei ) combined to form a larger unstable

nucleus
- The unstable nucleus will break into helium and neutron
- A lot of energy is released
Exercise
The diagram shows a method used to produce
nuclear energy.
a) Name the process
b) Where does the process occur naturally?

1. The diagram below shows a nucleus of Uranium-235 being bombarded with

particle P. It splits into two smaller nucleus together with the release of three other
particles P.
Particle P
Particle P
Particle P

Particle P
Nucleus atom Q

(a) Name the process:

(b) Name the particle P and atom Q used in the process. ..
(c) State one beneficial application this process.

(d) One of the three particles P released can split other Uranium-235 atoms
resulting in
a continuous reaction.
Name this reaction.
The generation of electrical energy from nuclear energy

1) Name reaktor P
2) State the radioactive element that is used in reactor P

3) Name the process which takes place in reactor P

4) Complete the flow chart
5) Name the radiation emitted during the generation of nuclear energy that give
adverse effect to the health of living things
Effect or radioactive radiation
Destroys body cells
Causes cancer
Pollutes the environment
Cause death
Causes mutation
Causes abnormalities in foetus
Causes sterility

Misuse of radioactive substances

Making nuclear weapon
Nuclear test destroy the habitats of
living things and pollute the
environment

Safety measures while handling radioactive substances

Wear special protective coating Store radioactive substances in

thick lead containers or thick concrete
slabs

Use Geiger-Muller counter or

photographic badges to detect
the presence of radioactive rays

Have strict laws to ensure proper

disposal of radioactive substances

What are the short term and long term effects of exposure to radioactive radiation to
humans?
(a) Short term effects:
(b) Long term effects:
i.
i.
ii.
ii.