Fission vs Fusion

Fission vs Fusion

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Goal:

1. Distinguish between Nuclear fission and Fusion.

2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both processes.​

• A nuclear reaction is a process in which two nuclei, or a nucleus and an external subatomic particle, collide to produce one or more new nuclides.

• Thus, a nuclear reaction must cause a transformation of at least one nuclide to another.

• Fission and Fusion are two common types of Nuclear reactions

Nuclear Reaction

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1. Nuclear fission occurs when a Large nucleus such as Uranium-235 is bombarded (hit) by an external​ sub-atomic particle, a neutron, causing it to become more unstable (Ur-236)

2. The unstable nucleus then splits to produce:

• two smaller, more stable nuclei such as Ba and Kr;

• 3 neutrons that can then bombard more large atoms causing a chain reaction;

• large amount of energy.

• the mass of products is less than the mass of starting atom as ​some of the mass is converted into the energy produced.

• ​²³⁵₉₂U + n = ²³⁶₉₂U (unstable)

  followed by

  ²³⁶₉₂U = ¹⁴⁴₅₆Ba + ⁸⁹ ₃₆Kr + 3n + energy

Nuclear Fission-splitting of nucleus

A domino effect is created by this chain reaction that if not controlled, will go on indefinitely or until no more Uranium atoms are available.

Fission is used in:

• Nuclear power plants as it produces much more energy than fossil fuels.

A small amount of reactants will yield much more energy than a thousand times more fossil fuels.

• Used in atomic bombs and nuclear weapons.​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Uses of Fission reactions

1. It creates harmful radioactive waste products that must be stored for a long time before it decays.

2. It is ​not a renewable energy source.

3. . It creates harmful waste products.​

4. Can be dangerous and explosive if out of control.​

5. High start up cost​ to control the process

6. Can cause mass destruction​

Disadvantages

1. It can provide cheap energy resources for the planet.

2. ​It is a reliable source of energy.

3. Takes little energy to split two atoms in a fission reaction​

4. ​It provides high concentrations of energy.

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Advantages

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear Fission

1. Nuclear Fusion occurs when two small nuclei such as H-2 and H-3, join to form a larger nucleus​ of greater mass, He-4.

2. This process requires extremely high temperatures and pressure and so naturally occurs in the sun and stars where these conditions are met.

3. The mass of the larger nuclei formed is less than the sum of the starting nuclei as some of the mass is converted to energy.

4. Produces more energy than fission​.

5. Does not involve chain reactions.​

6. ² ₁Deuterium + ³ ₁Tritium = ⁴₂He + ¹₀n +​ energy

Nuclear Fusion- the joining of nuclei

1. Like fission, also produces radioactive waste. (most not affecting us on Earth as shielded in atmosphere).

2. No technology available to produce the extreme temperatures required for the process​.

​3. Energy produces inaccessible to man directly.

Disadvantages

1. Produces much more energy than fusion with little material.

2. Safer and cheaper method of producing energy with less radioactive waste

Advantages

Advantages and disadvantages of Nuclear Fussion

Draw

Put A Beside those relating to fission and B beside those for fusion.

Multiple Choice

Which reaction represents fission?

Multiple Choice

Which reaction represents fusion?

Multiple Choice

Which type of reaction does the diagram illustrate?

• Fission

• Fusion

• Alpha Decay

• Beta Decay

Multiple Choice

Where does fusion occur naturally?

• Underwater
• All around us
• In the radioactive waste
• On the sun

Multiple Choice

This is an example of...

• Fission  reaction
• Fusion reaction
• Decomposition reaction
• Decay

Multiple Choice

Nuclear fission is where...

• two smaller atom nuclei fuse into one larger atom nucleus

• two larger atom nuclei fuse into one smaller atom nucleus

• one larger atom nucleus decays and breaks into two or more smaller atom nuclei

• one smaller atom nucleus decays and breaks into two or more larger atom nuclei

Multiple Choice

Nuclear fusion

Multiple Select

What are some disadvantages to using nuclear fission? (pick two)

• Releases harmful radiation

• Able to produce a lot of power in a short amount of time

• Fuel can be dangerous to work with

• Low cost to operate

Multiple Select

Advantages of Nuclear power include:

• Creates a lot of energy

• Safer than coal (in the U.S.)

• Involves harmful radioactive elements

• Produces radioactive waste that must be stored

Multiple Select

Disadvantages of Nuclear power include:

• Creates a lot of energy

• Safer than coal (in the U.S.)

• Involves harmful radioactive elements

• Produces radioactive waste that must be stored

Multiple Choice

Two nuclei with low masses are combined to form one nucleus of larger mass is called what?

• Nuclear fission

• Nuclear fusion

• Nuclear half-life

• Half-life

Multiple Choice

What is a beneficial aspect of nuclear fission?

• The ability to absorb energy
• The ability to release tremendous amounts of energy
• The ability to produce more energy than nuclear fusion
• There are no beneficial aspects of nuclear fission

Multiple Choice

How do nuclear power-plants work?

• Fusion
• Half-life
• Fission
• Fusion or fission

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 fusion?

• It is easy to implement.
• It produces less energy than nuclear fission.
• It produces more energy than nuclear fission.
• It has the ability to occur easily in everyday life.

Multiple Choice

Two nuclei with low masses are combined to form one nucleus of larger mass is called what?

• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear fussion
• Nuclear half-life
• Half-life

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

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

Multiple Choice

The splitting of a nucleus into smaller nuclei is

• fusion
• fission
• half-life
• gamma radiation