Name_______________

Fission: Nuclear Energy

Date___________
MODIFIED
There are many ____________ occurring unstable isotopes that undergo ________________ decay.
In order to achieve a more stable ________ ratio these elements release
______________________ radiation becoming a new ___________ in the process. Humans now
have the ability to purposefully _______ the nucleus of certain atoms in a process called _________.

***
Usually, a _____________ is used to bombard and destabilize a nucleus because it is
______________ and can pass through the negative electron cloud and approach the positive
nucleus without ___________________ repulsion. In fission, a massive nucleus splits into two or
more smaller and more stable nuclei. In this kind of ____________ change, the total number of
______________________ is conserved, but because a neutron is slightly ____________ than a
proton some of the mass gets converted into huge amounts of pure ____________ according to
Einsteins famous equation _________. If the nuclear reaction is done in a _______________ way
the energy can be harnessed, like in a nuclear _____________. If the reaction becomes
_______________ the radiation can be devastating, like in a nuclear weapon.

Example Nuclear Reactions

Fission

235
92

U 10 n

139
56

Ba ____ 310 n

Fission: Nuclear Energy

Name_______________
Date___________

Practice Fission Reactions

Fission: Nuclear Energy

Name_______________
Date___________

Name_______________

Fission: Nuclear Energy

HOMEWORK

Date___________

RE-WRITE and COMPELTE each of the following:

129
53

I 01e ____

Use the Venn Diagram to Compare and Contrast a nuclear fission reaction in
a nuclear power plant vs. a nuclear weapon.

Be sure to include at least 3 bullets for each! Use your outline and class notes!

Nuclear
Power
Plant

Nuclear
Weapon

Name_______________

Fission: Nuclear Energy

Date___________
There are many ____________ occurring unstable isotopes that undergo ________________ decay.
In order to achieve a more stable ________ ratio these elements release
______________________ radiation becoming a new ___________ in the process. Humans now
have the ability to purposefully _______ the nucleus of certain atoms in a process called _________.
Usually, a _____________ is used to bombard and destabilize a nucleus because it is
______________ and can pass through the negative electron cloud and approach the positive
nucleus without ___________________ repulsion. In fission, a massive nucleus splits into two or
more smaller and more stable nuclei. In this kind of ____________ change, the total number of
______________________ is conserved, but because a neutron is slightly ____________ than a
proton some of the mass gets converted into huge amounts of pure ____________ according to
Einsteins famous equation _________. If the nuclear reaction is done in a _______________ way
the energy can be harnessed, like in a nuclear _____________. If the reaction becomes
_______________ the radiation can be devastating, like in a nuclear weapon.
Example Nuclear Reactions
Alpha decay
Beta Decay

Fission

235
92

1
U 10 n 139
56 Ba ____ 30 n

Practice Nuclear Reactions

216
86
129
53

Rn 42 ____

I 01e ____

____ 42
____

0
1

239
97
52
23

Bk

Name_______________

Fission: Nuclear Energy

HOMEWORK

Date___________

RE-WRITE and COMPELTE each of the following:

Compare and contrast radioactive decay vs. fission as two different kinds of nuclear processes.

Compare and contrast nuclear fission in a power plant vs. a nuclear weapon.