CHAPTER 6 NUCLEAR ENERGY

6.1 Understanding Radioactive Substances

6.2 Understanding the Production of Nuclear Energy
and its Uses
6.3 Awareness of the Need for Proper Handling of
Radioactive Substances
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 6.1 Understanding Radioactive Substances

Radioactive Substances
1. Radioactive substances are _______________________________ while
______________________________________________________
2. Figure 6.1 shows the symbol used to warn the public about the
presence of radioactive substances.
3. Figure 6.2 shows some examples of the common radioactive substances.

Radioactive Decay
1. Radioactive decay is
_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
2. The nucleus before decay is called the parent nuclide and the product of decay is the
daughter nuclide.

Radioactive Radiation
1. There are 3 types of radioactive radiation
___________________________________________________________________
2. Geiger-Muller tube (GM tube) is __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Similarities of the Three Radiations
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________

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 4. __________________________________________________________________

Differences of the Three Radiations

Radioactive Alpha particles, Beta particles, Gamma rays
emissions
Nature

Charge

Speed

In an
electric field

In magnetic Bends a little showing

field that it has a big mass.
Direction of the bend
indicates that it is
positively charges
Ionising The 3 types of radiation use their energy to _______________________
power __________________________________________________________
The ionization of an atom produces _____________________________
__________________________________________________________
Weakest
Penetrating Radiation which has a stronger ionizing power will have _____________
power ___________________________________________________
The radiation emission ___________________________ each time an
ion pair is produced.

Stopped by

Range in air

Radioisotope
1. Radioisotopes are ________________ which decay and give out radioactive emissions.
2. Radioisotopes are isotopes of an element that are radioactive.
3. Radioisotopes are naturally occurring or artificially produced.
4. Artificial radioisotopes can be produced when _________________________________

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 _____________________________________________________________________

Application of Radioisotope in Archaeology

1.5. __________________ generating carbon-14 from

6. atmospheric nitrogen-14. This carbon-14 is _____
7.
________________________________________
8.
_____________________ which then settles down
9.
to the Earth and then may enter the carbon cycle.
10.
2. Carbon-14 is a radioisotope with a half-life of
11.
___________and decays by emitting beta particles.
12.
3. Living animals and plants have a ______________
13.
____________ of carbon-14 in their tissues which
14.
remains constant.
15.
4. When ______________________ the amount of
16.
carbon-14 in their body ______________________
17.
_____________________________
18.
5. The amount of carbon-14 left in a decayed plant or
animal can be ____________________________

Application of Radioisotopes in Industry

(a) Thickness control

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 1. Place ______________________ at the top, _________________ on bottom
2. Measure the amount of radiation
- If too thin: ______________________
- If too thick: _____________________
3. Type of radiation used varies according to type of material
- For metal sheets, ____________________ are used
- For plastics, clothes and paper, ____________________ are used.
(b) detecting leaks in underground water pipes.

1. _____________________ which emits beta particles is _____________________

____________________to measure the flow rate in the pipeline and to find leaks.
2. The radiation produced by the radioactive substance can be detected with a
___________________________placed above ground.
3. A larger increase in the count rate will indicate that __________________________

Application of Radioisotopes in Medicine

(a) Radioactive tracers

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 1. A radioisotope is taken in by a patient
through the ___________________
________________ or through the
____________________________
The radiation emitted enables organs
such as thyroid, bones, heart, liver to
be easily imaged by imaging
equipment. Disorders can then be
detected.
(b)Sterilizing
1. Medical instruments are sterilized after
packing by a brief exposure to ______
_________________
2. Gamma rays can be used to ________
_______________________________
(c) cancer treatment
1. Gamma rays can _________________
They are used to kill cancer cells
without having to _________________
2. This is called ___________________
3. It is important to administer the correct
dosage. Excessive radiation will
damage too many healthy cells.
Insufficient radiation will not stop the
cancer from spreading.

Application of Radioisotope in the Field of Agriculture

1. By measuring the radioactivity of the stem and leaves, scientists can find out how
much fertilizer has been absorbed by the plant.
2. Radioisotopes are used to kill pests and parasites and to control the ripening of
fruits.

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 (a) As a tracer
1. Tracers are used to determine ________
_________________________________
___________________________________
2. ________________________________ is
added to the fertiliser and its rate of uptake by
the plant can be determined using a G-M
counter.

(b) As a preservation agent

1. Emits and foodstuff are _____________
________________________________
2. Potatoes treated with low doses of radiation
can be ___________________
________________________________
(c) As a mutating agent
1. _____________ are used to produce new
species of plants.
2. This is done by controlled exposure of the
seeds to small doses of gamma rays so that
the cells in the seeds can undergo mutation.
3. This process may produce species which are
more resistant and more productive.
(d) As a sterilising agent
1. Radioisotopes are used to control pests
which damage crops.
2. Male insects are bred and irradiated to
sterilise them.
3. These sterilised males are then released to
breed as usual but without any offspring.

6.2 Understanding the Production of Nuclear Energy and its Uses

Nuclear Fission
1. Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei.

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2. Fission occurs when the nucleus of an atom is bombarded with a neutron.
3. The energy of the neutron causes the target nucleus to split into two (or more) nuclei
that are lighter than the parent nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy during
the process.
4. A slow neutron hitting a uranium-235 nucleus, causing it to split producing strontium-90,
xenon-143 and three neutrons + energy.

Example of nuclear fission:

Nuclear Fusion
1. Nuclear fusion is the combining of two lighter nuclei to form a heavier nucleus,
releasing a vast amount of energy during the process.
2. Nuclear fusion is believed to be the process by which energy is released by the Sun.
When two hydrogen-2 nuclei moving at high speeds collide, they can join together to
produce heavier nucleus. A large amount of energy is released.
3. A hydrogen bomb uses the principle of nuclear fusion for its design.

Generation of Electricity from Nuclear Energy

1. Electricity can be generated from the energy released by fission reactions. A nuclear
power station consists of a nuclear reactor and a generator.
2. Nuclear reactor produces tremendous amount of energy through nuclear fission.

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Energy changes that took place are:

Effects of nuclear energy production

1. Radioactive substances can cause positive effects and also negative effects on living
things.

Positive effects Negative effects

1. A source of non-renewable energy.
2. Does not pollute environment.
3. Can fulfill the higher demand of
energy.
4. Have many uses in daily lives.
1. Nuclear leakage and improper
disposal of radioactive waste can
cause pollution.
2. Can kill body cells.
3. Can cause cancer.
4. Can cause abnormality in foetus.

6.3 Awareness of the Need for Proper Handling of Radioactive

Substances

Negative Effect of Radioactive Substance

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1. When radioactive emissions strikes living cells, it can cause ionization to the
molecules of the cells.
This may cause the cells to be killed, resulting in tissue damage.
2. At low doses of radiation, the damaged tissues can repair itself rapidly.
3. High doses of radiation can cause burn effects known as radiation burns.
4. The ionization effect of radiation can also cause genetic damage to the molecules of the
cells. This may lead to the formation of cancerous cells and tumour development.
5. If the radioactive substances gets inside the body, the most harmful effects come from
the alpha particles because they have the highest ionization power.
6. If the radioactive source is outside the body, the greatest danger is from gamma
sources because gamma rays have the highest penetrating power.
7. The alpha particles would not penetrate clothing and is highly unlikely to reach living
cells in the body.
8. The somatic and Genetic effect are shown in the table below:

Safety Precautions in the Handling of Radioactive Substances

Radioactive substance must always he handled with the correct procedures to prevent
harmful effects to people and the environment. The following are sortie basic precautions:
1. Read and follow the advice and instructions marked on radioactive sources,
equipment and work manuals. Gloves must be worn any time an unsealed source is
being used or whenever contamination is likely to occur.
2. Laboratory coats, long pants, and closed-toe footwear should be worn.
3. Eating, drinking, applying cosmetics or storing of food is prohibited.
4. All work surfaces and storage areas (e.g. table tops and floors) should be covered with
absorbent material to contain radioactive material contamination.

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5. When using radioactive liquids, plastic or metal trays (stainless steel washes easily)
should be utilised to contain potential spills.
6. Radioactive material, especially liquids, should be kept in unbreakable containers
whenever possible. If glass is used, a secondary container is necessary.
7. Before eating or drinking, wash hands and forearms thoroughly.
8. Radioactive sources for educational use are kept in lead boxes.

Radioactive Waste Management

1. Waste from the nuclear reactor is radioactive and therefore must be carefully managed.
2. Radioactive waste consists of a variety of materials requiring different methods of
management to protect people and the environment. They are classified as low-level,
medium-level or high-level wastes.
Low-Level Waste Intermediate-Level Waste High-Level Waste
Comprises 90% of the Makes up 7% of the volume Consists of only 3% of
volume but only 1% of the and has 4% of the the volume of all
radioactivity of all radioactivity of all radioactive wastes but it
radioactive wastes. radioactive wastes. holds 90% of the
Generated from hospitals, Contains higher amounts of radioactivity.
laboratories and industry radioactivity and may Mainly used fuel rods
as well as the nuclear fuel require special shielding. or liquid waste from fuel
cycle. Comprises of resins, reprocessing.
Comprises paper, rags, chemical sludge, reactor Contains highly-
tools, clothing, filters etc. components and radioactive fission
Contains small amounts of contaminated materials products and some heavy
mostly short-lived from reactor elements with long-lived
radioactivity. decommissioning. radioactivity.
Buried in shallow landfill Solidified in concrete or Generates large
sites. bitumen for disposal. amounts of heat and
Often compacted/ Short-lived wastes (mainly requires cooling as well as
incinerated (in a closed from reactors) is buried. special shielding during
container) before disposal Long-lived wastes (from handling transport.
to reduce its volume. reprocessing nuclear fuel) disposal deep
is disposed deep underground.
underground.

Exercises 6
Essay Question
1. (a) State one use of radioactive substances in each of the fields of agriculture,
medicine, archaeology and industry.
[4 marks]

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 (b) A group of workers are directed to control a radioactive leak at a nuclear reactor.
Describe how they can overcome this problem. Your answer should include the
following:
Identify the problem [1
mark]
Describe two methods to detect the radioactive leakage [2
marks]
State two adverse effects of radioactive leakage [2
marks]
State one safe storage method [1
mark]
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Answer

Field Uses

Agriculture Gamma ray is used to sterilise pests

Medicine Gamma ray from cobalt-60 is used to kill cancer cells

Archaeology Carbon-14 is used to determine the age of ancient artitacts

Industry Uranium-235 is used to generate electricity in nuclear reactors

(b) Radioactive leakage

Use a Geiger-Muller counter and wear photographic badges

Causes cancer and mutations

Keep radioactive substance in thick lead/ thick concrete

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