7.

2: ls 1: Unified mass unit and binding energy

Starter:
These are the masses for a proton and neutron:

Today’s lesson: ● proton mass, mp = 1.673 x 10-27 kg

• Solving problems involving mass ● neutron mass, mn = 1.675 x 10-27 kg

defect and binding energy
• Sketching and interpreting the The mass of a helium nucleus = 6.643 x 10-27 kg
shape of average binding energy
per nucleon against nucleon Check this adds up
number

Homework:
7.2 questions

Big Questions:
Why is Energy released in nuclear decays and reactions
• Solving problems involving mass defect and binding energy

Let’s talk about mass

With Rutherford's scattering revealing that there was a nucleus
it also made it possible to calculate the charge of the nucleus.

This was found to be the same as the whole number of positive

electron charges for all atoms of the same elements.

However they found that the mass number and charge number
were different.

E.g. helium has a mass number of 4 but a charge of +2e . There

appears to be 2 extra particles that have approximately the
same mass no as a proton but no mass. This was the neutron, it
was discovered by Chadwick in 1932. he won the Nobel prize for
this in 1935
 How the
neutron
was
discovered
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Unified Mass unit (u)

When dealing with the mass of the proton and neutron it is often easier to
use unified mass unit.

Defined as 1/12 of the mass of an atom of Carbon-12

1 u = 1.6605402 x 10-27 kg
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Mass defect

For helium, the mass of the nucleus = 4.00156 u

But, the mass of two protons and two neutrons

= 4.03188u

Where is the missing mass?

• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Mass defect and binding energy

To separate the particles, they must be pulled apart against
the attractive strong force.

They gain potential energy when they are separated.

When the particles come together to form a nucleus, their

potential energy decreases.

So energy must be put in to separate the nucleons of a

nucleus.

This energy is known as the binding energy, a rather

confusing term it a confusing term as it means the energy
that is needed to break bonds.
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Mass defect and binding energy

To separate the particles, they must be pulled apart against the attractive strong force.
They thus have potential energy when they are separated.

When the particles come together to form a nucleus, their potential energy decreases.

So energy must be put in to separate the nucleons of a nucleus. This energy is known as
the binding energy.
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Mass defect and binding energy

• Binding energy is the energy required to separate a nucleus into
its constituent parts.
• OR binding energy is the energy released when a nucleus forms
from its constituent parts.
• Solving problemsinvolving
Solving problems involving mass
mass defect
defect andand binding
binding energy
energy

That’s right we now get to use Einstein’s glorious E=mc2 squared

equation!!
2
ΔE = Δmc
Einstein’s
proof of
2.
E=mc
Binding
Energy
Video
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Hard to visualise the concept? See if this helps

The binding energy of a nucleus is defined as the amount of
energy required to pull the nucleus apart.

The nuclear strong force is very strong which holds it

together so the work that is done is large.

So there must also be a measurable increase in the mass

(E=mc2) Think about it as balls in a well, to get them out
(split them apart) we need to do work so require energy.

Binding energy is not something which nucleons posses but

it’s something we would have to possess to pull them apart
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Putting the nucleus together

The binding energy is also the amount of energy
released when putting the nucleus together animation for binding energy

Again it's helpful to imagine the ball scenario, if you

had 3 perfectly elastic balls and a perfectly elastic
hole and threw them in they would just jump out.

To get them to stay in, they would need to collide in

a way so that they give one of the balls all the
energy.

This ball would then fly out very fast leaving the
other two balls behind in the hole.
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Mass - Energy equivalence

• E = mc2
• E = 1.6605402 x 10-27 x (2.9979 x 108)2
• E = 1.4923946316 x 10-10 J

• Remembering 1 eV = 1.6 x 10-19J again we often refer to it in

terms of MeV

• 1 u = 931.5 MeV (Energy)

• 1 u = 931.5 MeV.c-2 (Mass)
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Mass energy equivalence

• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Mass energy equivalence

What is the binding energy for helium in MeV?
mass defect = mass of 2 protons + mass of 2 neutrons – mass of
helium nucleus
=( 2 x 1.00728u) + (2 x 1.00866u) – 4.00156
= 0.03032u
binding energy = mass defect (u) x 931.5 MeV u-1 = 28.2 MeV

in Joules?
binding energy (J) = binding energy (MeV) x 1.6x10-13
= 4.52x10-12 J
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Mass energy equivalence - we can also use for nuclear reactions

 Lesson 2: Nuclear fission
Starter:
Todays lesson: Quizizz on simple harmonic motion
● Solving problems involving https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/61a72dbe9b3a
the energy released in
radioactive decay, nuclear
fd001e3b4387/dp-physics-simple-harmonic-m
fission and nuclear fusion otion
● Sketching and interpreting
the general shape of the
curve of average binding
energy per nucleon against
nucleon number
Homework:
Revise mock
Big Questions:
● Why is Energy released in nuclear decays and reactions
History of
nuclear
power
•• Sketching and interpreting
Solving problems the mass
involving general shapeand
defect of the curve energy
binding of average binding energy per nucleon against nucleon number

Binding energy
The more stable a nucleus is the greater the binding
energy (actually given as a negative quantity for the
nucleus)
••• Sketching
Solving and interpreting
Solvingproblems
problems the mass
involving general
involving shapeand
defect
mass of the curve
binding
defect of binding
average binding
andenergy energyenergy per nucleon against nucleon number

Binding energy per nucleon

This is the work
required to
completely separate
the nucleons of the
nucleus divided by
the number of
nucleons.

It is a measure of
how stable the
nucleus is.
• Sketching and interpreting the general shape of the curve of average binding energy per nucleon against nucleon number

The binding energy curve

• Solving problems involving mass defect and binding energy
• Solving problems involving mass defect and binding energy
• Solving problems
Solving problemsinvolving
involving
mass
mass
defect
defect
andand
binding
binding
energy
energy

Tasks (pick your task that you would like to do)

• Worksheet
• Pearson binding energy animation animation
• Nice little activity on binding energy: video and
quiz activity
•• Solving
Solvingproblems involving
problems the energy
involving mass released
defectinand
radioactive
bindingdecay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
energy

Nuclear fission - what is happening?

• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

Nuclear fission - what is happening?

•• Solving
Solvingproblems involving
problems the energy
involving mass released
defectinand
radioactive
bindingdecay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
energy

Nuclear fission reaction

Neutron

Nucleus of U-235
What do you think might
happen to this unstable
nuclei?
•• Solving
Solvingproblems involving
problems the energy
involving mass released
defectinand
radioactive
bindingdecay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
energy
Daughter
A neutron Nuclei

Daughter
Neutron Nuclei

Nucleus of U-235
Must drawproblems
•• Solving
Solving out theinvolving
problems process theof
involving nuclear
energy
mass fission
released
defectinand and identify
radioactive
bindingdecay, the products
nuclear
energy fission and nuclear fusionFission
Should be able to give a detailed explanation of the difference between an
If each of the three neutrons is absorbed
Isotope
uncontrolled and controlled nuclear chain reaction
by another nucleus of Uranium-235, these Neutrons
three nuclei will also break apart
(producing two smaller daughter nuclei
and three neutrons).
•• Solving
Solvingproblems involving
problems the energy
involving mass released
defectinand
radioactive
bindingdecay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
energy

In a fission reaction, the total mass and the total binding energy before the
reaction are Mi and Ei respectively, where the binding energy is defined as a
positive quantity.

After the reaction the total mass is Mf and the total binding energy is Ef .

Total mass Total binding energy

Mf < Mi Ef > Ei
•• Solving
Solvingproblems involving
problems the energy
involving mass released
defectinand
radioactive
bindingdecay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
energy
This nuclear chain reaction is
out of control. It will grow
very quickly (in an instant!) But it is not like this in a nuclear
and be as explosive as an reactor. Thank goodness!
atomic bomb!
•• Solving
Solvingproblems involving
problems the energy
involving mass released
defectinand
radioactive
bindingdecay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
energy

The chain reaction in a

nuclear reactor is steady
For each link in the chain, only one of the three neutrons causes a new fission
•• Solving
Solvingproblems involving
problems the energy
involving mass released
defectinand
radioactive
bindingdecay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
energy

This means that each fission reaction leads to one more

fission reaction instead of three.
The links in the chain do not increase the number of fissions
– they keep them constant
Controlled nuclear chain
reaction

Energy
!

Two of the neutrons

do not trigger new
fissions – they are
absorbed by other
materials
•• Solving
Solvingproblems involving
problems the energy
involving mass released
defectinand
radioactive
bindingdecay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
energy

Fission nuclei

Neutron

Fission
U- 235 U-236
neutrons

You only get a chain reaction if there is enough uranium 235 and it is the
right shape otherwise too many neutrons will escape from the outside
and the reaction will stop.

The smallest amount of uranium needed to keep a chain reaction going

is called the CRITICAL MASS.

39
 What is
nuclear
energy
(topic 8)
What is the purpose of the Why do we have moveable What is the purpose of the coolant?
control rods? control rods?

What is the purpose of the

moderator?

Examples of types of material What are thermal Why is there a concrete shield
used for moderators. neutrons?
 20 minute
good recap
video - watch
in pairs and
summarise the
main points.
• Solving problems involving mass defect and binding energy

Task:In pairs: Using the playdoh and white boards explain the fission reactions (controlled and
uncontrolled)
Refer to the binding energy
Explain to me when you are ready
Take a photo and post it to google classroom .

Topic 8: How does a nuclear power station work?

What is meant by:
➔ Chain reaction
➔ Critical mass
➔ Control rods
➔ Moderator
➔ Enrichment
 7.3 Ls3:Starter:
Nuclear fusion
Todays lesson:
● Solving problems involving Topic 3 revision
the energy released in https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5fc48f4f2885e2
radioactive decay, nuclear 001cc7f6c1/thermal-physics
fission and nuclear fusion
● Sketching and interpreting
the general shape of the
curve of average binding
energy per nucleon against Homework:
nucleon number

Big Questions:
● Why is Energy released in nuclear decays and reactions
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion

What is
happening
here?
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion

In fusion two
light nuclei join
together to make
a larger nucleus,
releasing lots of
energy.
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?

Nuclear fusion of
hydrogen into
helium

+ → → +
deuterium + tritium → fusion → helium + neutron
•• Solvingproblems
Solving problems involving
involving the energy
the energy released
released in radioactive
in radioactive decay,
decay, nuclear nuclear
fission and fission
nuclear and
fusion
nuclear fusion?

In nuclear fission the nuclei split.

+ +

In nuclear fusion the nuclei join.

+
• Solving
Solving problems
problemsinvolving
involvingthe energy
mass released
defect in radioactive
and binding energydecay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion

Why does fusion produce more energy than fission?

Energy is released when the binding

energy (per nucleon) is increased.
fusion energy is greater as the
increase in BE for fusion > increase in
BE for fission

We can see this from the graph as it

has a steeper gradient. (bigger change
in energy)
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?

Match up the energy released with the reaction

Reaction Energy released by 1 kg

Fusion of hydrogen 81000000 × 106 J
Combustion of hydrogen 197 × 106 J
Fission of uranium
630000000 × 106 J
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?

Match up the energy released with the reaction

Reaction Energy released by 1 kg

Combustion of hydrogen 197 × 106 J

Fission of uranium 81000000 × 106 J

Fusion of hydrogen 630000000 × 106 J

• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?

Advantages of using fusion

● Abundant fuels – Deuterium can be extracted from water
and tritium is made from lithium, which is readily available.
● Clean – No greenhouse or other polluting gases are made.
● Safe – No need to keep chain reactions under control.
● Low level radioactive waste – any waste produced is not
radioactive for very long
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?
Naive and overconfident in
her physics abilities

A (sort of) long time ago…

When I believed I was

going to solve the world's
energy crisis!

The Why was this going to be a

original
physics challenge?
crew
Nuclear Fusion occurs in the centre of
every star during it’s main sequence
stage.
What are the difficulties in recreating
this on Earth?
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?

The problem with fusion…

Hydrogen nuclei are both positive.
So as they get near each other they repel each other.

Overcoming the problem with fusion…

To overcome these repulsive forces between the nuclei and
force them together. Nuclei need to be moving very fast
(600Km/s) this can only be achieved at very high pressures
and temperatures.
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?

In the core of a star, many fusion reactions are taking place at

the same time

Gigantic amounts of energy

are released.
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?

A successful fusion reactor would release a huge amount of energy from a very small
mass of fuel.
The problem is in producing and containing a plasma to allow the nuclei to fuse together.

PLASMAS: Flame, Plasma Ball, Ball Lightning

• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion

Not on the
syllabus but
it’s
interesting!
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion

Fusion summary
Inside the JET (Joint European Torus) experimental fusion
reactor at Culham in Berkshire
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion
fusion?

When a __________ nucleus breaks apart, this is called __________. When

two __________ nuclei join together, this is called __________. This is the
reaction that provides the energy for the __________. It has the advantage
that the product is not highly __________. Scientists are trying to harness the
energy it releases. This is __________ because the nuclei are held apart by
an __________ force – they both have a __________ charge. Extremely high
__________ are needed to force the __________ close enough to make them
__________.

small fusion difficult fuse electrostatic Sun

large fission radioactive positive
temperatures nuclei
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion

What is the latest

information on Fusion
reactors?

10 minutes research -
share on the jamboard
what you found out,
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion

Fission or fusion?
The part of the curve to the left shows that two light
elements can produce energy by fusion.

The part of the curve to the right shows that a heavy

element can produce energy by fission.

This diagram has been drawn with the binding energies per
nucleon being shown as positive – this represents the
energy needed to separate the particles.

They are trying to become more stable (have a higher

binding energy per nucleon).

Fission: the reactant BE per nucleon is less than the

products which are higher (we go back up the curve)
Booklet question 6B
• Solving problems involving the energy released in radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion?

Atomic and Nuclear Concept mapping

What are the main concepts of 7.1,
12.2 and 7.2?

Write these words on the tables?

How can we link these together?

What are the understandings for

these concepts