ChangesMatter3.ppt 757KB Jun 23 2011 10:24:16 AM

PCM. Changes in Matter
Benchmark 3
Contrast nuclear fission,
nuclear fusion, and
natural radioactivity.

Atoms
All atoms are made up of
three particles,
PROTONS, NEUTRONS
and ELECTRONS.

The PROTONS and
NEUTRONS are located in
the nucleus of the atom.

Periodic Table

http://www.chemicalelements.com/

Radioactivity

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/radact.html#c1
http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/radioactivity/radioactivity.html?tqskip1=1
Radioactivity refers to the fact that in some atoms, the particles that make
the atoms up DO NOT want to stay there!
There is three kinds of Radioactivity and in each a particle is released.
1. Alpha – a Helium atom is released
2. Beta – an electron is released
3. Gamma – a gamma ray (a high energy photon) is released

All radioactive atoms are trying to attain a lower energy level,
the same reason a ball falls toward the Earth.

Everyday Radiation
At the right are some
sources of everyday
radiation.

Radon is a highly
radioactive element that
can have serious adverse

effects if it gathers in
large quantities.

Fission
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nucene/fission.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/fission/fission.html?tqskip1=1
FISSION means BREAKING APART.
If a Uranium atom is struck by a Neutron,
it can break apart into a Cesium atom, a
Rubidium atom and two more Neutrons.
When this happens, LOTS and LOTS and
LOTS of energy is released!
This energy can be used to create
electricity.

Power
Plants
Electricity is made at Power
Plants. These can be
powered by burning coal or

nuclear fission.

Fuel is used to heat water to boiling. The steam is used to turn
a magnet near some wire and electricity is created!
This electricity is then sent to you!
http://www.southerncompany.com/learningpower/powerinfo_powerplant.asp
?mnuOpco=soco&mnuType=lp&mnuItem=oc

Virtual Tour

Fusion
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nucene/fusion.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/ppcno_cycles/ppcno_cycles.html?tqskip1=1

FUSION means BRINGING TOGETHER.
If two light atoms are forced together they
may become attached, forming a new
atom. When this happens, LOTS and
LOTS and LOTS of energy is released!
This is the reaction that powers out SUN.

Deuterium and Tritium are both forms of Hydrogen.

Fusion vs. Fission

Nuclear Fusion produces about 500 times more energy than Fission.
We have yet to be able to do fusion on Earth, it takes really really
really hot temperatures – only found in the sun. But it would be really
awesome if we could.