What are the 4 types of nuclear reactions?

Nuclear Reactions
  • Fission.
  • Fusion.
  • Nuclear Decay.
  • Transmutation.

What are the three main types of nuclear reactions?

There are three main types of nuclear reactions: Nuclear fusion: this is the joining of two small atomic nuclei into one nucleus. Nuclear fission: this is the splitting of one large atomic nucleus into smaller fragments. Radioactive decay: this is the change of a less stable nucleus to a more stable nucleus.

What are the 2 types of nuclear reactions?

Fission and fusion are two physical processes that produce massive amounts of energy from atoms.

How are nuclear reactions classified and balanced?

Nuclear reactions also follow conservation laws, and they are balanced in two ways: The sum of the mass numbers of the reactants equals the sum of the mass numbers of the products. The sum of the charges of the reactants equals the sum of the charges of the products.

What is a nuclear reaction in chemistry?

nuclear reaction, change in the identity or characteristics of an atomic nucleus, induced by bombarding it with an energetic particle. The bombarding particle may be an alpha particle, a gamma-ray photon, a neutron, a proton, or a heavy ion.

What is nuclear reaction give an example?

Some examples include: Fusion reactions — two light nuclei join to form a heavier one, with additional particles (usually protons or neutrons) emitted subsequently. Spallation — a nucleus is hit by a particle with sufficient energy and momentum to knock out several small fragments or smash it into many fragments.

What are the reactions in nuclear physics?

The two general kinds of nuclear reactions are nuclear decay reactions and nuclear transmutation reactions. In a nuclear decay reaction, also called radioactive decay, an unstable nucleus emits radiation and is transformed into the nucleus of one or more other elements.

What is the difference between a nuclear reaction and a chemical reaction?

Nuclear reactions involve a change in an atom’s nucleus, usually producing a different element. Chemical reactions, on the other hand, involve only a rearrangement of electrons and do not involve changes in the nuclei. Different isotopes of an element normally behave similarly in chemical reactions.

Who discovered nuclear reaction?

December 1938: Discovery of Nuclear Fission. In December 1938, over Christmas vacation, physicists Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch made a startling discovery that would immediately revolutionize nuclear physics and lead to the atomic bomb.

What types of reactions occur in a nuclear power plant?

All nuclear power plants use nuclear fission, and most nuclear power plants use uranium atoms. During nuclear fission, a neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. More neutrons are also released when a uranium atom splits.

What are the reactions in nuclear physics?

The two general kinds of nuclear reactions are nuclear decay reactions and nuclear transmutation reactions. In a nuclear decay reaction, also called radioactive decay, an unstable nucleus emits radiation and is transformed into the nucleus of one or more other elements.

What type of reaction is in a nuclear reactor?

A nuclear reactor is driven by the splitting of atoms, a process called fission, where a particle (a ‘neutron’) is fired at an atom, which then fissions into two smaller atoms and some additional neutrons.

What are the types of nuclear decay?

Three of the most common types of decay are alpha decay (α-decay), beta decay (β-decay), and gamma decay (γ-decay), all of which involve emitting one or more particles.

What are nuclear reactions used for?

Radioisotopes, nuclear power process heat and non-stationary power reactors have essential uses across multiple sectors, including consumer products, food and agriculture, industry, medicine and scientific research, transport, and water resources and the environment.

Who discovered nuclear reaction?

December 1938: Discovery of Nuclear Fission. In December 1938, over Christmas vacation, physicists Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch made a startling discovery that would immediately revolutionize nuclear physics and lead to the atomic bomb.

What is the difference between nuclear reaction and chemical reaction?

Nuclear reactions involve a change in an atom’s nucleus, usually producing a different element. Chemical reactions, on the other hand, involve only a rearrangement of electrons and do not involve changes in the nuclei. Different isotopes of an element normally behave similarly in chemical reactions.

What are 5 examples of nuclear energy?

Nuclear Energy Examples and Uses
  • Nuclear Fusion. When you think about nuclear fusion, think about things fusing together. …
  • Nuclear Fission. …
  • Electricity. …
  • Nuclear Weapons. …
  • Space Exploration. …
  • Nuclear Medicine. …
  • Food Treatments.

What are 3 ways nuclear energy is used?

5 Incredible Ways Nuclear Powers Our Lives
  • Space Exploration. A great deal of what we know about deep space has been made possible by radioisotope power systems (RPSs). …
  • Nuclear Energy. Nuclear provides nearly 20% of our electricity in the United States. …
  • Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. …
  • Criminal Investigation. …
  • Agriculture.