Question:
Two of the isotopes of hydrogen are hydrogen-2 \(\left ( _{1}^{2}\textrm{H} \right )\) and hydrogen-3 \(\left ( _{1}^{3}\textrm{H} \right )\).
(a) (i) State one similarity in the composition of their nuclei.
Answer/Explanation
Ans: same number of protons / both have one proton
(ii) Describe how a nucleus of hydrogen-3 differs from a nucleus of hydrogen-2.
Answer/Explanation
Ans: it / hydrogen-3 / \(\left ( _{(1)}^{3}\textrm{H} \right )\) has one more neutron
different number of neutrons / nucleons
(b) In a nuclear fusion reactor, a nucleus of hydrogen-2 fuses with a nucleus of hydrogen-3 at an extremely high temperature. This fusion reaction produces an isotope of element X and releases a neutron.
(i) Explain why an extremely high temperature is needed when forcing these two nuclei together.
Answer/Explanation
Ans: (high temperature produces) high (kinetic) energy / momentum / speed / ability to do large quantity of work
they repel each other
are positively charged / have like charges or need to come close together
(ii) Using nuclide notation, complete the equation for this reaction.
Answer/Explanation
Ans: \(_{2}^{4}\textrm{X} or _{2}^{4}\textrm{He}or_{2}^{4}\textrm{}α\)
\(_{0}^{1}\textrm{n}\) and no other particle
Question
There are three naturally occurring isotopes of hydrogen: hydrogen-1, hydrogen-2 and hydrogen-3.
The nuclide notation for hydrogen-1 is \(^1_1H\).
(a) Write down the symbol, using nuclide notation, for.
hydrogen-2
hydrogen-3
(b) In a fusion reactor, nucleus of hydrogen-2 and a nucleus of hydrogen-3 undergo fusion.
(i) State what is meant by nuclear fusion.
(ii) The fusion reaction produces a free neutron and one other particle.
Write down, using nuclide notation, the equation that represents this reaction.
(c) Nuclear fusion in the Sun is the source of most but not all of the resources that are used to generate electrical energy to Earth.
State two resources for which nuclear fusion in the Sun is not the source.
1.
2.
Answer/Explanation
Answer:
(a) \(^2_1H\)
and \(^3_1H\) and in this order
(b) (i) joining together of (small/H) nuclei
to produce a bigger nucleus / He nucleus or with the release of energy
(ii) (\(^2_1H\) + \(^3_1H\) →) \(^1_0n\)
(+) \(^4_2\)(……)
He or α seen
(c) any two from:
• geothermal (energy)
• tidal (energy)
• nuclear (energy)