District 10: Nuclear Chemistry
Welcome to your training for how to take down District 10 when you are in the arena. It is no secret that this District possess a power that is unparalleled to the weapons that the other Districts have. In fact, they have the power to vaporize miles of land by splitting only a few kilograms of atoms. District 10 is not to be messed with and they are well aware of this fact. They are advised by arguably the greatest past Hunger Games Champion: Albert Einstein. They possess the ability to create an atomic bomb...so you better be very careful if you choose to do battle with them in the arena.
Past District 10 Champion
YOUR TRAINING BEGINS NOW
DIrections: Please take out your District 10 guided notes and review the following content:
The Fundamental Forces of the Universe
(weak) Gravity - the force that occurs between two objects based on their masses. Because of the extremely light weight of an atom, this force is not experienced at the atomic level
(strong) Electromagnetic Force - an attraction or repulsion between positive and negative charges. This principle is easiest to remember by the phrase, "Like repel and opposites attract."
We have a problem though. The nucleus of an atom contains many positive changes (protons). If the nucleus contains a bunch of positive charges, why doesn’t the nucleus of the atom split apart?
(strongest) Strong Nuclear Force - exists between particles in the nucleus of an atom. This is much stronger then electromagnetic forces, so the attraction between particles in the nucleus is much stronger then the repulsion between protons. There is also a weak nuclear force, which won't be discussed here.
(strong) Electromagnetic Force - an attraction or repulsion between positive and negative charges. This principle is easiest to remember by the phrase, "Like repel and opposites attract."
We have a problem though. The nucleus of an atom contains many positive changes (protons). If the nucleus contains a bunch of positive charges, why doesn’t the nucleus of the atom split apart?
(strongest) Strong Nuclear Force - exists between particles in the nucleus of an atom. This is much stronger then electromagnetic forces, so the attraction between particles in the nucleus is much stronger then the repulsion between protons. There is also a weak nuclear force, which won't be discussed here.
FISSION AND FUSION
Fission describes the splitting of something into two Nuclear fission is when a very heavy nucleus splits into a smaller, more stable nucleus.
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Nuclear fusion is when two atomic nuclei fuse into one new atom. Nuclear fusion processes are an essential source of energy in the universe. One of the most common nuclear fusion processes occurs on the Sun. Nuclear fusion is how energy is produced in the Sun.
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Both fission and fusion release MUCH MORE energy than chemical reactions...
The conservation of matter tells us that matter cannot be created or destroyed, it only can change forms. Sometimes, when compounds react, the mass of the atom can be turned into energy. Einstein’s equation allows us to calculate the amount of energy that would be released if mass is lost.
Radioactive Decay
- In nature, the same element can have different atomic masses. These are known as isotopes. Isotopes are atoms of the same element have different numbers of neutrons and thus have different atomic masses.
- Some atoms are unstable and breakdown. These elements are called radioactive compounds. Radioactive decay, which is the spontaneous breakdown of the nucleus into a smaller nucleus, accompanied by the release of particles, radiation, or both.
- Radioactive decay occurs because the electromagnetic force is stronger than the strong nuclear force. When this happens, the the atom splits apart and releases particles and/or energy.
Unstable nucleus will emit (release) a decay particle in order to be stable again:
The pink is alpha decay, the green is beta decay, and the yellow is gamma decay.
PRACTICE
In order to be prepared to do battle with this District, complete the following practice problems:
Answer Key
Answer Key