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Nuclear Fission & Fusion (AQA GCSE Physics): Exam Questions

1 hour10 questions
Easy
Medium
Hard
1a4 marks

Figure 1 shows a nuclear reactor.

Figure 1

4-4-e-1a-7-3-mcqs-q1-question

Draw a line to match each part of the reactor to its function:

7-3-easy-q2a-parts-of-a-nuclear-reactor

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1b3 marks

The following sentences relate to nuclear fission and fusion. 

Use words from the box to complete the passage.

7-3-easy-q2b-answer-box-nuclear-fusion

Fission is the ............... of a nucleus. Fusion is the ............... of two nuclei. Fusion occurs naturally in the ................

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1c2 marks

Describe two conditions needed for nuclear fusion.

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2a1 mark

Name the element which undergoes fission in a nuclear reactor.

2b1 mark

Name the particle released during fission of this substance which can enable further fission reactions.

2c4 marks

The following passage is about chain reactions.

Identify the correct order of the sentences by numbering them 1 to 4.

7-3-easy-q4c-chain-reactions

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3a4 marks

The following passage is about control rods and moderators in a nuclear reactor.

Select words from the box to complete the sentences.

7-3-easy-q5a-control-rods-and-moderator

The moderator in a nuclear reactor is often made from ...............The moderator is used to ............... neutrons.

The control rods in a nuclear reactor are often made from ............... . The control rods are used to ............... neutrons. 

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3b2 marks

This passage is about the differences between nuclear fission and fusion.

Complete the table by adding a tick to the correct statements.

7-3-easy-q5b-fission-and-fusion

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3c2 marks

Name the conditions required for nuclear fusion to occur.

3d1 mark

Explain why these conditions are necessary.

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1a3 marks

Nuclear power stations use the fission of particular isotopes of uranium to generate electrical energy.

Burning coal that has been mined from the ground is another way of generating electrical energy.

Compare the advantages of nuclear power and coal to generate electricity.

1b2 marks

Name one element that is used in nuclear power stations and give its mass number.

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24 marks

Describe the process of nuclear fission.

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3a4 marks

The equation for the nuclear fission of uranium-235 is shown below.

U presubscript 92 presuperscript 235 space plus space n presubscript 0 presuperscript 1 space rightwards arrow space B presubscript 56 presuperscript 141 a space plus space K presubscript 36 presuperscript 92 r space plus space 3 n presubscript 0 presuperscript 1

Using information in the equation, describe the process of nuclear fission.

3b3 marks

Explain what happens in the process of nuclear fusion.

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4a2 marks

Scientists in France are currently developing a nuclear fusion reactor called ITER for research into fusion technology.

Nuclear fusion uses isotopes of hydrogen called deuterium and tritium.

Deuterium can be reasonably easily extracted from seawater, and is naturally occurring.

Tritium can be produced from lithium, which is also found in seawater.

Table 1 below shows the energy released from 1kg of deuterium and 1kg of uranium-235.

Table 1

Type of fuel

Energy released from 1kg of fuel in joules

Deuterium

2.4 x 1014

Uranium-235

8.7 x 1013

Suggest two advantages from using a nuclear fusion reactor rather than a nuclear fission reactor.

4b1 mark

Give one location where nuclear fusion happen naturally.

4c1 mark

It is only possible to achieve nuclear fusion at very high temperatures and pressures, because the nuclei of the atoms which need to fuse repel each other.

Why is there a repulsive force between the nuclei?

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1a5 marks

Nuclear fission occurs in nuclear reactors.

An example of a nuclear reactor is shown in Figure 1

Figure 1

4-4-h-1a-nuclear-reactor

Explain the process of nuclear fission in the reactor shown in Figure 1, including the material used in the fuel rod.

1b4 marks

Describe how a chain reaction can occur in the reactor.

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2a1 mark

Figure 1 shows a neutron colliding with a nucleus of uranium-235, producing a number of products.

Figure

4-4-h-2a-chain-reaction

Name the process shown in the diagram.

2b5 marks

Explain how the process shown in the diagram can lead to a chain reaction.

2c2 marks

Explain the energy transfer taking place in this reaction.

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3a2 marks

 Figure 1 shows the fuel used in some nuclear reactors.

The fuel is contained inside spheres with a silicon carbide layer which is designed to contain the fission products for at least one million years.

Figure 1

4-4-h-3a-storing-nuclear-fuel

Explain what is meant by the term fission products and give an example.

3b2 marks

Explain why it is important to contain these fission products for such a long time.

3c2 marks

Energy and mass can be converted using the equation: 

c h a n g e space i n space e n e r g y equals c h a n g e space i n space m a s s cross times s p e e d space o f space l i g h t squared

straight capital delta E equals straight capital delta m c squared

Fusion and fission are examples of when this conversion process occurs.

A particular fusion reaction that can occur is:

4-4-h-3c-fusion-reaction

In this reaction:

  • Mass of reactants mR = mass of helium−3 + mass of helium−4

  • Mass of product mP = mass of beryllium−7

  • Energy is released

Identify and explain which quantity is greater, mR or mP.

3d3 marks

The difference in mass of the reactants and products was found to be 2.8 × 10–30 kg.

The speed of light is 3.00 × 108 m/s.

Calculate the amount of energy released. Give the unit.

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