Nuclear Fission vs Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear Fission vs Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear Fission

• a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy.

• a neutron bombards the target nucleus which sets off a chain reaction

Multiple Choice

What is a chain reaction?

• When electrons travel are emitted causing electricity
• When a nuclear fission reaction occurs, the protons emitted can strike other nuclei in the sample, and cause them to split
• When a nuclear fission reaction occurs, the neutrons emitted can strike other nuclei in the sample, and cause them to split
• When a nuclear fission reaction occurs, the electrons emitted can strike other nuclei in the sample, and cause them to split

Nuclear Weapons

• Atomic Bombs use uncontrolled fission reactions

• Thermonuclear (hydrogen) bombs use fission reactions to induce fusion - 100x more powerful than atomic bombs

Nuclear Power Plants

• Reactors with controlled U-235 fission reactions

• These reactions produce heat & steam, which spins turbines that generate electricity.

• A very small amount of U-235 can produce the same amount of energy as a very large amount of coal (fossil fuel!) & no CO2 is produced.

• There is a limited supply of U-235 & fission produces radioactive waste.

Fusion

• a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.

• the difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as the release or absorption of energy.

The Sun

• a massive ball of plasma.  

• It is constantly burning so hot that hydrogen is fused together to form helium.

• This happens at such a rate that a huge amount of energy is released.

Multiple Choice

Any reaction that involves the particles in the nucleus of an atom are called ________?

• Fission

• Nuclear Reaction

• Fusion

• Particle Accelerator

Multiple Select

Which of the following correctly display nuclear fission?

Multiple Choice

The process of combining the nuclei of atoms to make different atoms is called _________?

• Fission

• Nuclear Reaction

• Fusion

• Particle Accelerator

Multiple Choice

Breaking up the nucleus of an atom is called _________?

• Fusion

• Nuclear Reaction

• Fission

• Particle Accelerator

Multiple Select

Which of the following correctly display nuclear fusion?

Multiple Choice

_________ is how we describe any process where the nucleus emits particles or energy.

• Fission

• Nuclear Reaction

• Fusion

• Particle Accelerator

Multiple Choice

What is true about nuclear fusion? 

• The mass of the product is less than that of the original nucleus
• The mass of the product is 100 times less than that of the original nucleus
• The mass of the product is the same as that of the original nucleus
• The mass of the product is greater than that of the original nucleus

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is true about nuclear fission?

• The mass of the product is greater than the mass of the original nucleus
• The mass of the product is less than that of the original nucleus
• The mass of the product is the same as the mass of the original nucleus
• The mass of the product is 100 times greater than the original nucleus