Nuclear Equations Worksheet
A Grade 9 Science worksheet focusing on understanding and balancing nuclear equations for fission and fusion reactions.
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Nuclear Equations Worksheet
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show all work for balancing nuclear equations.
1. Which type of nuclear reaction involves the splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei?
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fission
Alpha decay
Beta decay
2. What is the sum of the protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus called?
Atomic number
Mass number
Isotope
Electron count
3. Nuclear is the process where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.
4. In a balanced nuclear equation, the sum of the mass numbers (top numbers) and the sum of the atomic numbers (bottom numbers) must be on both sides of the equation.
5. Complete and balance the following nuclear fission equation:
²³⁵U + ¹n → ¹⁴¹Ba + ⁹²Kr + 3¹n +
6. Explain the primary difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion in terms of energy release.
7. Nuclear fusion reactions require extremely high temperatures and pressures.
True
False
8. The process of nuclear fission is used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.
True
False
9. The diagram below illustrates a nuclear power plant. Identify the component where nuclear fission primarily occurs.
