The thermal energy generated when radiation from radionuclides is absorbed in matter can serve as the basis for a small power source for use in satellites, remote weather stations, and other isolated locations. Such radionuclides are manufactured in abundance in nuclear reactors and may be separated chemically from the spent fuel. One suitable radionuclide is 238Pu (T1/2 = 87.7 y), which is an alpha emitter with Q = 5.50 MeV. At what rate is thermal energy generated in 1.00 kg of this material?
Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion is a type of nuclear reaction. In nuclear fusion, two or more than two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. During this process, an enormous amount of energy is released. This energy is called nuclear energy. Nuclear fusion is the energy source of the sun and stars.
Fusion Bomb
A fusion bomb is also known as a thermonuclear bomb or hydrogen bomb which releases a large amount of explosive energy during a nuclear chain reaction when the lighter nuclei in it, combine to form heavier nuclei, and a large amount of radiation is released. It is an uncontrolled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction where isotopes of hydrogen combine under very high temperature to form helium. They work on the principle of operation of atomic fusion. The isotopes of Hydrogen are deuterium and tritium, where they combine their masses and have greater mass than the product nuclei, get heated at high temperatures, and releases energy.
The thermal energy generated when
is absorbed in matter can serve as the basis for a small power
source for use in satellites, remote weather stations, and other isolated
locations. Such radionuclides are manufactured in abundance
in nuclear reactors and may be separated chemically from the spent
fuel. One suitable radionuclide is 238Pu (T1/2 = 87.7 y), which is an
alpha emitter with Q = 5.50 MeV. At what rate is thermal energy
generated in 1.00 kg of this material?
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