2.4 Follow up tasks

a) Choose the correct variant to complete the sentence:

1. Transmutation is a process

   1. in which nucleus changes in the number of neutrons to produce an atom with a different atomic number

   2. in which nucleus changes in the number of protons to produce an atom with a different atomic number

   3. in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts

   4. of making a single heavy nucleus make from two lighter nuclei

2. First artificial transmutation was done by

   1. Lord Rutherford in 1911

   2. Ivan Kurchatov in 1940

   3. Albert Einstein in 1935

   4. Joseph Thomson in 1910

3. Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which

1. the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts  (lighter nuclei)

2. free neutrons and photons are produced

3. the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts (lighter nuclei), often producing free neutrons and photons (in the form of gamma rays), and releasing a very large amount of energy.

4. Nuclear fusion is the process of making a single heavy nucleus (part of an atom) from

1. two lighter nuclei

2. three lighter nuclei

3. four lighter nuclei

4. ten lighter nuclei

5) The hydrogen bomb uses … in order to start fusion reactions

1. electricity

2. plasma

3. a neutron bomb

4. an atomic (fission) bomb

b) Answer the questions:

1. What reactions are called nuclear?

2. What happens to the atom in the process of transmutation?

3. Why can the process of transmutation be represented in terms of chemical reaction?

4. What was the First artificial transmutation?

5. What are the characteristics of natural transmutations?

6. What is produced and released during the process of nuclear fission?

7. Why is a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction possible?

8. What does nuclear fission produce energy for?

9. Where does nuclear fusion happen?

10. Why is it very difficult to start nuclear fusion reactions on Earth?

c) Find the structures from pre-reading task a in the article and make-up similar sentences of your own.

d) Fill in the comparison chart using the information from the text.

Nuclear Fission versus Nuclear Fusion comparison chart Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion Definition Natural occurrence of the process Byproducts of the reaction Conditions Energy requirements Energy released Nuclear weapon Energy production Fuel

e) Retell the article using the chart.