Question

Which of the following processes release nuclear energy?

Options

• Neither the fission of heavy nuclei nor the fusion of light nuclei

• Only the fusion of light nuclei

• Only the fission of heavy nuclei

• Both the fission of heavy nuclei and the fusion of light nuclei

Answer 1

Energy release occurs in both the fission of heavy nuclei and the fusion of light nuclei. In each case, the reacting nuclei move from a less stable state with lower total binding energy to a more stable state with higher total binding energy.