The agility of the particles is also responsible for the nuclear reactions to take place, but how this conversion of kinetic energy to nuclear energy takes place that we shall discuss here.
The particles approaching from afar source impart their energy to the atom on colliding with it. On receiving the additional energy, the atom tries to absorb this energy and binds it together to reform the atomic structure. In a process, it emits a part of the energy to stabilize the atomic structure which is called nuclear energy.
How are kinetic and nuclear energy related?
The kinetic energy and the nuclear energy are interdependent and both produce a source of heat energy.
The generation of the nuclear energy is through the kinetic energy of the bombarding particles that provide extra energy to the atoms that makes it unstable releasing out the nuclear energy to become the most stable which again travels with kinetic energy and causes a further nuclear reaction to take place.
The reaction in which the nuclear energy is released is through radioactivity, fission of neutrons, or the fusion process. Along with the emission of particles, the heat energy is given out.
How is Kinetic energy converted to nuclear energy?
The kinetic energy is actually responsible for the creation of nuclear energy.
The particle approaching from a far distance imparts kinetic energy to the nuclei of the atom on which it is colliding that making an atom unstable and the extra energized mass binds with the particle which releases the nuclear energy to become stable atom.
Nuclear energy lies within the core of nuclei. As the atom gets deformed due to the impact of the kinetic energy from the incident particle, the whole atomic structure is reformed by binding the particle. The equivalent binding energy is lost from the nuclei during the fission or fusion of an atom.
When kinetic energy is converted to nuclear energy?
The kinetic energy of one particle is converted into nuclear energy by colliding with the nuclei of another particle and nuclei become unstable.
The fast moving particle bombards and binds in the nucleus of an atom and this extra availability of energy is released by emitting the photons and neutrons or splitting into two or fusion to become a stable atom.
Where is kinetic energy converted to nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy is obtained on large scale using nuclear reactors.
The binding energy is residing at the core of the nucleus which is released only by splitting of nuclei and by fusion giving out the binding energy, releasing small particles to gain its stability.
Nuclear energy persists within the nuclei of an atom, and hence it is evident that as the kinetic energy is grasped by the nuclei, the nuclei become unstable releasing out the particles from the nuclei and giving off some energy.
Kinetic Energy to Nuclear Energy Formula
The kinetic energy of any matter is given as K.E=1/2mv2
Since the particle moves with the velocity of light, the kinetic energy of the nuclei is K.E=1/2mc2
The nuclei move with the velocity of light and hence the speed of the nuclei is nearly equal to the speed of light. The energy released after binding is nuclear energy is given by the equation E=mc2
E=2mc2/2
E=2K.E
Hence, the nuclear energy obtain is two times larger than the kinetic energy.
Kinetic Energy to Nuclear Energy Efficiency
Efficiency is the amount of energy given out using the supplied energy to do the work. Here we have seen that the nuclear energy obtained from the kinetic energy of the bombarding particle doubles upon releasing the binding energy.
The efficiency of the kinetic energy to nuclear energy doubles upon conversion of energy.
Kinetic Energy to Nuclear Energy Examples
Here is a list of kinetic energy to nuclear energy examples:-
Fission
The parent nuclei will divide into two when the nuclear energy becomes larger, and hence to release the nuclear energy from its core the nuclear bifurcates into two. This extra energy is supplied to the nuclei from the particles bombarding it from a far distance with great kinetic energy and binds with it.
Fusion
The two atomic nuclei traveling at a great speed with kinetic energy approaches and bombards together, the binding energy generates will be large and the nuclei thus form will be unstable. Thus it releases the binding nuclear energy omitting particles to become stable nuclei.
Nuclear Reactor
The fission reaction takes place in the nuclear reactor, where the parent nuclei divide into two, releasing a huge amount of energy that is utilized for various purposes, like desalination, hydrogen fuel formation, electricity generation, etc.
Sun
The fusion reaction is seen in the sun which causes the formation of the solar flares. The energy released is grasped by another atom, and as a consequence bifurcates into two and moves with the kinetic energy again resulting in fission or fusion of the atoms.
Radioactivity
All the elements undergo radioactivity which is similar to the decomposition of matter and each has different halve lives depending upon the composition of matter. The photons incident on the matter supplies the heat energy which binds with the nuclei of the atoms constituting the matter and omits the energy releasing particles.
Nuclear Fuel
Nuclear fuel is a clean source of energy and provides a huge amount of energy without releasing any harmful gases into the air. The combustion of the fuel supplies the nuclear energy for the vehicles to run.
Atomic Blast
This releases a huge amount of nuclear energy into the air thus making the air quality very bad and unhealthy to breathe. The kinetic energy with which it traverses through the air produces friction and abrasion on the surface of the matter.
Decomposition
All the organic matter undergoes decomposition as the radiant energy from the Sun is incident on it. The heat energy supplied to the matter from the incident photons results in the breakdown of bonds degrading the matter.
Volcanic Eruption
The acidic magma erupted out from the Earth’s crust and travels down the mountain fusing with the matter in the surrounding. The heat energy is given out until it cools down to the surface temperature in a locality.
Irradiation
The energy received from the incident photons during the daylight increases the internal heat energy of the system which is then given out by the object if the energy gained by the molecules that it constitute becomes very large.
Nuclear Raman Effect
The variation in the wavelength of the incident and scattered beam of light is seen in this effect. The electron from a far distance travels and collides with the atom, its nuclei deformed due to the impact of the kinetic energy imparted to it and it binds together releasing gamma particles.
Metamorphism
The grains constituting the matter of the rock metamorphosed changing the grain size and texture and forming the well-defined minerals and composition.
Neutron Transmutation Doping
In this technique, two different isotopes are doped together to form a semiconducting material. Out of the two isotopes, one is formed based on radioactive decay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by the binding energy?
The binding means basically to confine the energy.
The amount of energy required that an atom can bind by releasing out a few particles from it on deforming to form a stable atomic configuration is called binding energy.
How to calculate the binding energy of an atom?
The atomic mass of an atom varies on deformation.
The binding energy is equal to the energy of that mass which is added or released during the reaction and deformation which is equal to E= Δmc2
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Hi, I’m Akshita Mapari. I have done M.Sc. in Physics. I have worked on projects like Numerical modeling of winds and waves during cyclone, Physics of toys and mechanized thrill machines in amusement park based on Classical Mechanics. I have pursued a course on Arduino and have accomplished some mini projects on Arduino UNO. I always like to explore new zones in the field of science. I personally believe that learning is more enthusiastic when learnt with creativity. Apart from this, I like to read, travel, strumming on guitar, identifying rocks and strata, photography and playing chess.
