Nuclear Fusion Vs. Fission: Do You Know The Difference?

Splitting a heavy unstable nucleus into smaller nuclei is known as fission. This process releases a large amount of energy and is commonly used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. Fusion, on the other hand, is the process of combining light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, which releases even more energy. However, in this question, the process described is specifically related to splitting a heavy nucleus, which aligns with the concept of fission.

Fission is the exact opposite, the process of separating atoms to create energy.

Inside the sun, fusion reactions occur. Fusion is a process in which two or more atomic nuclei come together to form a larger nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process. This is the primary source of the sun's energy, as hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of light and heat. Fission, on the other hand, is the process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei, and this does not occur inside the sun.

Fission is the correct answer because a chain reaction is a self-sustaining reaction in which the products of one reaction event trigger further reactions. In the context of nuclear energy, fission is a chain reaction process where the nucleus of an atom splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy. This energy can then trigger the fission of nearby nuclei, creating a chain reaction. Fusion, on the other hand, is the process of combining two atomic nuclei to form a larger nucleus, and it does not typically involve a chain reaction.

Nuclear power plants use fission as the type of energy. Fission is a process where the nucleus of an atom is split into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy. In nuclear power plants, this energy is harnessed by splitting the nucleus of uranium or plutonium atoms in a controlled chain reaction. This released energy is then used to generate heat, which is converted into electricity. Fusion, on the other hand, is the process of combining two smaller nuclei to form a larger one, and it is not currently used in commercial nuclear power plants.

Fusion is the reaction process that creates more energy. Fusion occurs when two or more atomic nuclei come together to form a heavier nucleus. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy, as it is the same process that powers the sun. In contrast, fission is the process of splitting a heavy nucleus into smaller ones, which also releases energy but not as much as fusion. Therefore, fusion is the reaction process that generates more energy.

While fusion produces more power with less side effects, we do not currently have the science on Earth to create a hot enough environment for fusion to take place.

Fission is the process in which the nucleus of an atom is split into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy. This process is commonly used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. Fission reactions involve heavy radioactive elements, such as uranium or plutonium, which produce highly radioactive waste materials. These waste materials remain radioactive for thousands of years and require proper disposal to prevent harm to the environment and living organisms. Fusion, on the other hand, is the process in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing even more energy. Fusion reactions do not produce highly radioactive waste.

however, a thermonuclear bomb uses both types on energy

The reaction process of both do not produce any air pollution. However, the process of mining uranium for fission does emit some pollution.