Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 .

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6: NUCLEAR ENERGY

6.1 Radioactive Substances

1. Radioactive substance – substance whose atoms have an unstable nucleus
2. Radioactive symbol:

3. Radioactive decay – process of emitting energy by an unstable nucleus of a radioactive atom to become
more stable.

4. Radioactive radiation:

Characteristics Alpha particles Beta particles Gamma radiation

Symbol α β γ
Consists of Helium nuclei Electrons Electromagnetic waves
Charge Positive Negative Neutral
Mass Heavy Light No
Very fast
Speed Slow Fast
(speed of light)
Effect on magnetic field Slightly deflected Easily deflected Not deflected
Attracted to the Attracted to the
Effect on electric field Not affected
negative plate positive plate
Ionising power Very high High Low
Penetration power Low High Very high
Stopped by Paper Aluminium Lead / Concrete

5. Effect of electric field on radioactive radiation:

Alpha *Beta deflects more

Gamma than alpha because it
is lighter than alpha.
Beta

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 6

6. Penetrating powers of radioactive radiation:

Alpha
Beta
Gamma

7. Uses of radioactive substances / radioactive radiations:

Field Radioactive substance / ray Function

Radioisotope glucose Trace cancer cell growth in the body.
Sodium
Sodium-24 Detect blockage in the blood vessels.
Kill cancer cell.
Gamma radiation / cobalt-60
cobalt
Medicine Sterilise surgical equipment.
Treating diseases connected with the thyroid gland.
Iodine
Iodine-131
Tracing tumours in the brain.
Use in nuclear batteries for regulating the heart beats
Plutonium
Plutonium-238
of heart patients.
Sterilise pests.
Gamma radiation
Cause mutation in plants to get better varieties.
Agriculture Carbon
Carbon-14 To study photosynthesis
Added to fertilisers to study the absorption of
Phosphorus
Phosphorus-32
minerals in plants.
Use in carbon dating. (Estimate the age of artefacts
Archaeology Carbon
Carbon-14
or fossils.)
Control the thickness of paper, aluminium sheets and
Gamma radiation plastics.
Checking the volume of food in the container.
Industry Radioisotope iron Determine the corrosion in a machine.
Sodium
Sodium-24 Determine leakage in underground water pipe.
Uranium
Uranium-235 To generate electrical energy.
Food Sterilise food.
Gamma radiation
preservation Prevent germination of potatoes.

8. Radioactive substances or radiations are detected by Geiger-Muller counter.

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 6

6.2 Nuclear Energy and Its Uses

A. Production of Nuclear Energy
1. Nuclear fission – nucleus in the atom of a radioactive substance breaks up / decays spontaneously to
become more stable and releases a lot of nuclear energy.

Barium

3 Neutrons

Neutron

Krypton
Uranium-235

2. Nuclear fusion – nuclei of atoms of a light element combine to form heavier nuclei and releases nuclear
energy.

Helium
Hydrogen-2
Hydrogen
(Deuterium)
Nuclear energy

Hydrogen-3
Hydrogen
(Tritium) Neutron

a) Occurs naturally in the Sun

b) Advantages:
• Produces more nuclear energy than nuclear fission.
• Produces less radioactive radiation than nuclear fission.
c) Disadvantages:
• Rate of nuclear fusion cannot be controlled while rate of nuclear fission can be controlled.
• Nuclear fusion occurs at a very high temperature and pressure which are difficult to achieve.

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 6

B.Uses of Nuclear Energy

1. Alternative source of energy.
2. Use to work satellites.
3. Use to drive submarine.
4. To generate electrical energy.
a) Nuclear power station:

① Nuclear fission takes place in a controlled way in the nuclear reactor.

② Nuclear energy is used to boil the water to produce steam.
③ The steam under high pressure turns the turbine.
④ The turbine spins the dynamo / generator to produce electrical energy.
b) Energy change in nuclear power station:

Nuclear Heat Kinetic Electrical

energy energy energy energy

c) Nuclear reactor:

Control rod Control the rate of nuclear reaction by

(Cadmium) absorbing neutron.
Fuel rod
Use as fuel
(Uranium)
Use as moderator – slow down the
Graphite
neutrons
Prevent radiation from escaping to the
Concrete shield
surroundings
Maintain the temperature of the reactor.
Cooling system
Water – cooling agent

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 6

C. Advantages and Disadvantages in Using Nuclear Energy

Advantages Disadvantages
Remove our dependence on fossil fuels. Other alternative sources of energy are much safer.
High cost in building reactor, managing waster and
Produce electricity at a lower cost.
safe-guarding the safety of workers.
Only a little uranium is needed for producing a lot of Waste products are highly radioactive and difficult
electrical energy. to dispose off safely.
Does not pollute the air. Exposes workers to dangerous radiation.
Radioisotopes from the reactor may be used in Radioactive substances may be used to produce
other fields. weapons.

6.3 Proper Handling of Radioactive Substances

A. Effect of Radioactive Substances
1. Pollute the air and water
2. Short term effects:
a) Giddiness
b) Vomiting
c) Diarrhea
d) Hair to fall off
e) Body feel very hot
3. Long term effects:
a) Kills body cells
b) Cause mutation
c) Cause cancer
d) Deformity in the foetus

B. Safety Precautions in Using Radioactive Substances

1. Factories using radioactive substances should be located far away from residential areas.
2. Radioactive waste must be kept in a thick lead or concrete container and thrown into the deep sea.
3. Handle radioactive substances using appropriate equipment – eg. robotic hands.
4. Workers handling radioactive substances must be wear docimeters (photographic film).