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.
Which of the following processes represents a fusion reaction?
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?
In a fission reactor, the energy released is calculated using mass defect.
Define the term “binding energy”.
A fission reaction results in a mass loss of . Calculate the energy released.
Express the answer in MeV.
A hypothetical fission reaction releases 3 neutrons per event. For a critical mass to be maintained, which condition must be satisfied?
A nuclear reactor transfers thermal energy to a steam turbine.
Identify the type of energy produced directly in fission.
Describe how thermal energy is extracted from the reactor.
State the final energy transformation in an electrical generator.
Explain why shielding is necessary around the reactor.
In a nuclear fission reactor, control rods are used to regulate the reaction. Which of the following correctly describes the role of control rods?
The graph shows the average binding energy per nucleon for various nuclei as a function of mass number.
Which statement best explains why energy is released in a nuclear fission reaction involving uranium-235?
Which of the following is an advantage of nuclear fusion over nuclear fission as an energy source?
Which condition is necessary for nuclear fusion to occur in the core of a star?
Which of the following is true about high- and low-level waste from nuclear reactors?
| Case | High-level waste | Low-level waste |
|---|---|---|
| A | Must be disposed of by burying deep underground | Can be disposed of as regular trash after some time |
| B | Must be disposed of by burying deep underground | Composed of weakly radioactive fission byproducts |
| C | Can be repurposed to make new fuel rods | Can be disposed of as regular trash after some time |
| D | Can be repurposed to make new fuel rods | Composed of weakly radioactive fission byproducts |