RevisionDojo

E.4 Fission - IB Questionbank | RevisionDojo

Practice E.4 Fission with authentic IB Physics exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.

Paper

Level

Question 1

SLPaper 1A

Which of the following processes represents a fusion reaction?

Question 2

SLPaper 1A

Three statements about moderators in nuclear power plants are:

I. A moderator is a good absorber of neutrons.

II. A moderator slows down neutrons.

III. Without a moderator, the power plant will undergo a meltdown.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

Question 3

SLPaper 2

In a fission reactor, the energy released is calculated using mass defect.

Define the term “binding energy”.

[1]

A fission reaction results in a mass loss of $2.5 \times 10^{-28},\text{kg}$ . Calculate the energy released.

[2]

Express the answer in MeV.

[1]

Question 4

SLPaper 1A

A hypothetical fission reaction releases 3 neutrons per event. For a critical mass to be maintained, which condition must be satisfied?

Question 5

SLPaper 2

A nuclear reactor transfers thermal energy to a steam turbine.

Identify the type of energy produced directly in fission.

[1]

Describe how thermal energy is extracted from the reactor.

[2]

State the final energy transformation in an electrical generator.

[1]

Explain why shielding is necessary around the reactor.

[1]

Question 6

SLPaper 1A

In a nuclear fission reactor, control rods are used to regulate the reaction. Which of the following correctly describes the role of control rods?

Question 7

SLPaper 2

The management of fission products is a critical aspect of nuclear reactor operation and safety.

Identify common fission products and their potential hazards to human health and the environment.

[2]

Explain the processes used to manage high-level nuclear waste, including storage and disposal methods.

[2]

Discuss the long-term challenges associated with nuclear waste storage and the strategies being developed to address these issues.

[4]

Question 8

SL & HLPaper 2

In a fission reactor, uranium-235 ( $^{235}_{92}U$ ) undergoes induced fission to produce caesium-137 ( $^{137}_{55}Cs$ ), rubidium-96 ( $^{96}_{37}Rb$ ), and several neutrons.

Write down the number of neutrons emitted by uranium-235 fission.

[1]

Outline the purpose of the moderator in a nuclear fission reactor.

[1]

The following data are given:

Nuclide	Atomic mass / amu
$^{235}_{92}U$	235.043923
$^{137}_{55}Cs$	136.907084
$^{96}_{37}Rb$	95.934284

Find the energy released, in $J$ , by the fission of $1.0\ mol$ of $^{235}_{92}U$ .

[3]

Outline the role of a heat exchanger in a nuclear reactor.

[1]

Find the maximum mass of water that can be boiled with the fission of $1.0\ mol$ of $^{235}_{92}U$ . The specific latent heat of vaporization of water is $2268\ J\ g^{-1}$ .

[1]

Question 9

SLPaper 2

The environmental implications of nuclear fission as an energy source are significant in the context of global energy needs.

Compare the carbon emissions of nuclear power plants with those of coal-fired power plants, highlighting the differences.

[2]

Discuss the environmental risks associated with uranium mining and nuclear waste disposal, including potential impacts on ecosystems.

[2]

Evaluate whether nuclear energy can be considered a sustainable and environmentally friendly option in the context of climate change.

[2]

Question 10

HLPaper 1A

Consider a nuclear fission, in the process of which a nucleus of element $X$ absorbs a neutron $n$ to give a nucleus of element $Y$ and a nucleus of element $Z$ .

$X+n \rightarrow Y+Z+2 n$

What is $\frac{\text{ magnitude of the binding energy per nucleon of } Y}{\text{ magnitude of the binding energy per nucleon of } X}$ and $\frac{\text{ total binding energy of } Y \text{ and } Z}{\text{ total binding energy of } X}$ ?

	$\frac{\text{Magnitude of the binding energy per nucleon of } \mathbf{Y}}{\text{Magnitude of the binding energy per nucleon of } \mathbf{X}}$	Total binding energy of $\mathbf{Y}$ and $\mathbf{Z}$
A.	greater than 1	greater than 1
B.	less than 1	greater than 1
C.	greater than 1	less than 1
D.	less than1	less than 1

E.4 Fission Questionbank