AP Physics 2 Flashcards: Fission Fusion And Nuclear Decay

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Fission Fusion And Nuclear Decay, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics 2.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What particle is emitted during alpha decay?

Answer: An alpha particle, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Equivalent to a helium nucleus ($^4He$).

Flashcard 2: State the equation for mass-energy equivalence.

Answer: $E = mc^2$. Einstein's equation relating mass and energy equivalence.

Flashcard 3: Which element is commonly used as a neutron moderator?

Answer: Graphite or heavy water (D$_2$O). Both effectively slow down fast neutrons to thermal energies.

Flashcard 4: What particle is emitted during beta decay?

Answer: A beta particle, which is an electron or positron. Occurs when neutron converts to proton or proton to neutron.

Flashcard 5: Which element is commonly used in nuclear weapons?

Answer: Plutonium-239 or Uranium-235. Both are fissile materials capable of sustaining chain reactions.

Flashcard 6: What is nuclear fission?

Answer: Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei. This releases energy due to the mass difference.

Flashcard 7: What is a neutron moderator in a nuclear reactor?

Answer: A material that slows down neutrons to sustain a chain reaction. Thermal neutrons have higher fission probability than fast neutrons.

Flashcard 8: Identify a common isotope used in nuclear fission reactors.

Answer: Uranium-235. Fissile isotope that absorbs thermal neutrons effectively.

Flashcard 9: What is the role of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

Answer: To absorb excess neutrons and regulate the fission reaction. Insertion/withdrawal controls reaction rate and reactor power.

Flashcard 10: What is the role of a breeder reactor?

Answer: To generate more fissile material than it consumes. Converts fertile material into fissile fuel through neutron capture.

Flashcard 11: What is the meaning of critical mass?

Answer: The minimum amount of fissile material needed to sustain a chain reaction. Below this threshold, chain reaction cannot be sustained.

Flashcard 12: What is a tokamak?

Answer: A device used to confine plasma for nuclear fusion using magnetic fields. Magnetic confinement system for controlled fusion research.

Flashcard 13: What is the result of a nuclear fusion reaction between deuterium and tritium?

Answer: Helium and a neutron. $^2H + ^3H \rightarrow ^4He + n$ releases 17.6 MeV.

Flashcard 14: What is the meaning of critical mass?

Answer: The minimum amount of fissile material needed to sustain a chain reaction. Below this threshold, chain reaction cannot be sustained.

Flashcard 15: State the equation for mass-energy equivalence.

Answer: $E = mc^2$. Einstein's equation relating mass and energy equivalence.

Flashcard 16: What is a common application of alpha particles?

Answer: Smoke detectors. Alpha particles ionize air to detect smoke particles.

Flashcard 17: What is the main source of energy in a nuclear fission reaction?

Answer: The binding energy released when a nucleus splits. Mass defect converts to kinetic energy of fission fragments.

Flashcard 18: How is nuclear decay used in medical imaging?

Answer: Radioisotopes are used in PET scans. Radioisotopes emit gamma rays detectable by imaging equipment.

Flashcard 19: What is the result of a nuclear fusion reaction between deuterium and tritium?

Answer: Helium and a neutron. $^2H + ^3H \rightarrow ^4He + n$ releases 17.6 MeV.

Flashcard 20: Which nuclear process powers the Sun?

Answer: Nuclear fusion. Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium in the Sun's core.

Flashcard 21: What is a radioisotope?

Answer: An isotope that is radioactive. Unstable nucleus that spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary challenge of achieving nuclear fusion on Earth?

Answer: Maintaining the necessary high temperature and pressure. Plasma confinement requires millions of degrees temperature.

Flashcard 23: How does beta decay affect the atomic number of an element?

Answer: Increases by 1 if it's beta-minus decay; decreases by 1 if it's beta-plus decay. Neutron converts to proton (β⁻) or proton to neutron (β⁺).

Flashcard 24: Identify a common isotope used in nuclear fission reactors.

Answer: Uranium-235. Fissile isotope that absorbs thermal neutrons effectively.

Flashcard 25: What is a tokamak?

Answer: A device used to confine plasma for nuclear fusion using magnetic fields. Magnetic confinement system for controlled fusion research.

Flashcard 26: Define nuclear decay.

Answer: Nuclear decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy. This occurs through alpha, beta, or gamma emission.

Flashcard 27: What is the main advantage of nuclear fusion over fission?

Answer: Fusion produces less radioactive waste. Fusion products are generally stable or short-lived.

Flashcard 28: Identify the main fuel used in nuclear fusion reactions.

Answer: Hydrogen isotopes, typically deuterium and tritium. Light nuclei overcome strong nuclear force barriers when fused.

Flashcard 29: What is the primary product of nuclear fusion in stars?

Answer: Helium. Formed when hydrogen nuclei undergo fusion reactions.

Flashcard 30: Which isotope is used in radiocarbon dating?

Answer: Carbon-14. Decays with 5,730-year half-life for age determination.

Flashcard 31: What is the primary purpose of a nuclear reactor's containment structure?

Answer: To prevent the release of radioactive materials. Concrete and steel barrier for radiation shielding.

Flashcard 32: Define nuclear decay.

Answer: Nuclear decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy. This occurs through alpha, beta, or gamma emission.

Flashcard 33: What is emitted during gamma decay?

Answer: Gamma rays, which are high-energy photons. No change in mass or atomic number, only energy release.

Flashcard 34: Identify the three types of nuclear decay.

Answer: Alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay. These differ in particles emitted and penetrating power.

Flashcard 35: What is tritium?

Answer: A radioactive isotope of hydrogen. Contains one proton, two neutrons, and is unstable.

Flashcard 36: What is the function of a cooling system in a nuclear reactor?

Answer: To remove heat from the reactor core. Prevents meltdown by transferring heat to steam generators.

Flashcard 37: What is a radioisotope?

Answer: An isotope that is radioactive. Unstable nucleus that spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay.

Flashcard 38: Name a common use of gamma radiation outside of nuclear decay.

Answer: Sterilization of medical equipment. High-energy photons kill bacteria and viruses effectively.

Flashcard 39: What is nuclear fusion?

Answer: Nuclear fusion is the process of combining light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. This requires extremely high temperatures to overcome electrostatic repulsion.

Flashcard 40: Identify the three types of nuclear decay.

Answer: Alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay. These differ in particles emitted and penetrating power.

Flashcard 41: Identify the force that must be overcome for fusion to occur.

Answer: Electrostatic repulsion between nuclei. Coulomb barrier requires high kinetic energy to overcome.

Flashcard 42: What is the main disadvantage of nuclear fission as an energy source?

Answer: Generation of long-lived radioactive waste. Waste remains dangerous for thousands of years.

Flashcard 43: What is the typical unit for measuring radiation dose?

Answer: Sievert (Sv). Measures biological effect of radiation on human tissue.

Flashcard 44: Identify the main fuel used in nuclear fusion reactions.

Answer: Hydrogen isotopes, typically deuterium and tritium. Light nuclei overcome strong nuclear force barriers when fused.

Flashcard 45: What is a chain reaction in nuclear fission?

Answer: A series of nuclear fissions, each initiated by a neutron from the previous fission. Self-sustaining reaction requires critical mass to maintain.

Flashcard 46: Name a gas commonly used in nuclear fusion research.

Answer: Deuterium or tritium. Heavy hydrogen isotopes have lower Coulomb barriers.

Flashcard 47: What is a common application of alpha particles?

Answer: Smoke detectors. Alpha particles ionize air to detect smoke particles.

Flashcard 48: Define half-life in the context of nuclear decay.

Answer: The time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay. Exponential decay follows first-order kinetics.

Flashcard 49: Which element is commonly used as a neutron moderator?

Answer: Graphite or heavy water (D$_2$O). Both effectively slow down fast neutrons to thermal energies.

Flashcard 50: What is nuclear fission?

Answer: Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei. This releases energy due to the mass difference.

Flashcard 51: What is the primary challenge of achieving nuclear fusion on Earth?

Answer: Maintaining the necessary high temperature and pressure. Plasma confinement requires millions of degrees temperature.

Flashcard 52: What is nuclear fusion?

Answer: Nuclear fusion is the process of combining light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. This requires extremely high temperatures to overcome electrostatic repulsion.

Flashcard 53: Which nuclear process powers the Sun?

Answer: Nuclear fusion. Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium in the Sun's core.

Flashcard 54: How is nuclear decay used in medical imaging?

Answer: Radioisotopes are used in PET scans. Radioisotopes emit gamma rays detectable by imaging equipment.

Flashcard 55: What is the function of a cooling system in a nuclear reactor?

Answer: To remove heat from the reactor core. Prevents meltdown by transferring heat to steam generators.

Flashcard 56: Identify a safety concern associated with nuclear fusion.

Answer: Containment of high-temperature plasma. Plasma instabilities can damage reactor components.

Flashcard 57: What particle is emitted during beta decay?

Answer: A beta particle, which is an electron or positron. Occurs when neutron converts to proton or proton to neutron.

Flashcard 58: What is the role of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

Answer: To absorb excess neutrons and regulate the fission reaction. Insertion/withdrawal controls reaction rate and reactor power.