Nuclear Energy Discussion Questions

  1. While we rarely hear the term "Energy Crisis", energy is a big concern.
    1. List several concerns about energy.
    2. How urgent are each of these concerns? What (if anything) should be done?
  2. Is nuclear energy `worth it'?
    1. What are the benefits and risks of nuclear energy?
    2. Do you think we should be using nuclear energy?
  3. How many protons and neutrons are present in each of the following isotopes?
    1. 126C
    2. 146C
    3. 17O
    4. 23592U
  4. Balance each of the following nuclear reactions.
    1. 23894Pu    ®    23492U   + _____
    2. 42He   +   94Be    ®    126C   + _____
    3. 10n   +   23592U    ®    14156Ba   +   9236Kr   +   _____10n
    4. 8637Rb    ®    8638Sr   +   _____
  5. Calculate how much material will be present in each of the following samples.
    1. 32 mg of 222Rn (radon), which has a half-life of ~4 days, after 12 days.
    2. 1.28 mg of 99Tc (technetium), which has a half-life of ~6 hours, after 1 day.
    3. 4.00 g 90Sr (strontium), which has a half-life of ~30 years, after 90 years.