Physics Chapter 4 - Nuclear fission and fusion

What is nuclear fission?

Splitting a large unstable nucleus.

What is nuclear fusion?

Joining small Nuclei.

How does nuclear fusion work?

Two light nuclei collide at high speed, fusing together to create a large nucleus. It has a lighter mass as some of the mass is converted to energy and released as radiation.

What is Nuclear fusion used for?

Scientists haven’t found any way to replicate nuclear fusion as temperature and pressure conditions are so high that it would

Explain the process of Nuclear fission?

The nucleus absorbs a neutron and splits forming two lighter elements. Two or three neutrons are released during the split which are absorbed by another nucleus causing more fission to occur in a chair reaction.