Consider the following statements. All atoms on Earth are stable due t...
Explanation:
Statement 1: All atoms on Earth are stable due to an equilibrated composition of neutrons and protons in their nucleus.
This statement is incorrect. Not all atoms on Earth are stable. Some atoms are unstable and undergo radioactive decay. These unstable atoms have an imbalance in the number of neutrons and protons in their nucleus, which leads to their instability. Stable atoms, on the other hand, have an equilibrated composition of neutrons and protons in their nucleus.
Statement 2: Uranium-235 is an extremely rare isotope of the heavy metal uranium and is the most commonly used nuclear fuel.
This statement is correct. Uranium-235 is indeed an extremely rare isotope of uranium. It constitutes only about 0.72% of natural uranium, with the rest being mostly uranium-238. Despite its rarity, uranium-235 is the most commonly used nuclear fuel because it is fissile, meaning it can sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
Statement 3: Uranium-235 is one of the few elements that can undergo induced fission.
This statement is correct. Uranium-235 is one of the few elements that can undergo induced fission. Induced fission refers to the process of splitting an atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei by bombarding it with a high-energy particle, typically a neutron. Uranium-235 is particularly suited for induced fission because it readily absorbs neutrons and becomes unstable, leading to the splitting of its nucleus.
Conclusion:
Out of the three given statements, only two are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect as not all atoms on Earth are stable due to an equilibrated composition of neutrons and protons in their nucleus. Statement 2 is correct as uranium-235 is an extremely rare isotope of uranium and the most commonly used nuclear fuel. Statement 3 is also correct as uranium-235 is one of the few elements that can undergo induced fission. Therefore, the correct answer is option B - Only two statements are correct.
Consider the following statements. All atoms on Earth are stable due t...
Statement 1 is incorrect.
- Most atoms on Earth are stable due to an equilibrated composition of neutrons and protons in their nucleus. However, in some unstable atoms, the composition of the number of protons and neutrons is such that it does not allow the nucleus to hold itself together.
- Such atoms are known to be radioactive, and they tend to break apart or fission into two lighter elements. This is the basis of most nuclear weapons and atomic energy.
- Uranium-235, an extremely rare isotope of the heavy metal uranium, is the most commonly used nuclear fuel, as it is one of the few elements that can undergo induced fission. This means that the element can be broken down very quickly by a process put into motion by humans.
- This is done by subjecting a U-235 nucleus to neutrons. The nucleus immediately absorbs an extra neutron and consequently becomes unstable — and immediately breaks apart into two lighter atoms, and a few extra neutrons. This process releases what is known as atomic energy.