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Questions
Distinguish between nuclear fission and fusion giving an example of each.
Give two differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
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Solution
| Nuclear Fission | Nuclear Fusion |
| Nuclear fission is the process by which an atom’s nucleus breaks into two lighter nuclei during a nuclear reaction. | In the process of nuclear fusion, two or more light nuclei collide to create a heavier nucleus. |
| An enormous quantity of energy is produced when each atom divides. | Compared to nuclear fission, nuclear fusion produces energy that is several times more powerful. |
|
Natural fission reactions do not take place in nature. |
Stars and the Sun undergo fusion processes. |
| In a fission reaction, less energy is required to divide an atom. | In a fusion reaction, high energy is required to fuse two or more atoms together. |
| The nuclear fission principle underpins the operation of an atomic bomb. | The hydrogen bomb operates on the nuclear fusion principle. |
| This reaction is possible at ordinary temperature and ordinary pressure. | This reaction is possible only at a very high temperature (≈ 107 K) and a very high pressure. |
Notes
Students should refer to the answer according to their questions.
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\[{}_{1}^{2}\mathrm{H}+_{1}^{2}\mathrm{H}\rightarrow{}_{2}^{3}\mathrm{He}+\mathrm{n}+3.27\mathrm{MeV}\]
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