Uses of Nuclear Chemistry
Fission & FusionFission: the splitting of a nucleus into many
pieces large release of energyNuclear reactors
Fusion: the combining of nuclei (bind two or more light and less stable nuclei to form a single, more stable nucleus)Stars
Nuclear reactions can happen naturally, but they can take long periods of time (about 4.5 billion years)
Nuclear ReactorsUsed to generate electricity
Uranium-235 is used (a certain amount required to sustain a chain reaction)
Other metals are used to absorb “extras” during the reactionThese metals must be serviced regularlySome of the materials become radioactive and cannot be
reused
How Nuclear Reactors Work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4Q9O1vICWs
Nuclear WasteWhere do we store it?
Any problems with this?
Japan’s Meltdownhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMaEjEWL6PU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ6lCR71Yik
Uses of RadiationMedicine
Radiotracer- emits non-ionizing radiation to detect a specific element
Radiation ExposureAccumulated Doses
Measured in units called rem: measures doses of radiation while accounting for energy of radiation, type of living tissue absorbing radiation and time of exposure.
Natural background: you are exposed to radiation on a regular basis (150mrem/yr)
This radiation comes from sources such as cosmic radiation, the ground, buildings, air, inside human body, medical and dental x-rays, nuclear weapon testing, air travel
Detection: Film badges
Food PreservationIrradiate food to kill microorganisms
http://www.weather.com/news/science/environment/fukushima-power-plant-leak-20140220