Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
Nuclear reactions as a source of energy
19 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 19
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State what is meant by the term 'fission' as used in nuclear physics.
Question 2
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Read the statements about nuclear reactions. For each one, write FISSION or FUSION.
(a)[1 mark]Two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.
(b)[1 mark]A heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei.
Question 3
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Name the main fuel used in nuclear reactors for fission.
Question 4
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which statement best describes what happens to the mass during a nuclear fission reaction?
- A.The mass of the products is equal to the mass of the original nucleus.
- B.The mass of the products is greater than the mass of the original nucleus.
- C.The mass of the products is less than the mass of the original nucleus.
- D.There is no change in mass.
Question 5
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →This question is about the products of nuclear fission.
(a)[2 marks]In the fission of uranium-235, two types of particles are produced in addition to two lighter nuclei. Name both types.
(b)[1 mark]Are the two lighter nuclei produced in fission usually stable or radioactive?
Question 6
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Explain briefly why a chain reaction can occur in a sample of uranium-235.
Question 7
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The diagram shows a simple nuclear reactor setup:
Simple nuclear reactor model (a)[2 marks]Name one part used to slow down neutrons and one part used to absorb neutrons in a real reactor.
(b)[1 mark]State the purpose of shielding.
Question 8
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Which nuclear process is the main source of energy in stars like the Sun?
Question 9
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →This question is about nuclear fission in uranium-235.
(a)[1 mark]State the meaning of the term 'fission' as used in nuclear physics.
(b)[2 marks]Describe what happens when a uranium-235 nucleus absorbs a slow-moving neutron.
(c)[1 mark]Name the type of energy released as a direct result of the fission reaction.
Question 10
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →In the fission of uranium-235, different numbers of neutrons can be released depending on the fission event. The table below shows data from five fission events.
Number of neutrons released in five different uranium-235 fission events. Fission event Number of neutrons released 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 2 5 4 (a)[2 marks]Calculate the average number of neutrons released per fission event in this sample.
(b)[1 mark]Explain why the actual number of neutrons released per fission can vary between events.