Fission and Fusion

In what elements can nuclear fission occur?

Uranium and plutonium.

This is because they are large and unstable

What happens in nuclear fission?

The nucleus of the uranium or plutonium splits

How does nuclear fission start?

When a uranium/plurtonium nucleus absorbs a neutron

Describe the process of nuclear fission

1. A uranium nucleus absorbs a neutron.

2. The nucleus then splits to form two daughter nuclei. It also forms gamma radiation and 2/3 more neutrons.

3. These neutrons can then go off to be absorbed by other uranium nuclei, causing a chain reaction

What else is released in nuclear fission?

Energy

How can scientists use nuclear fission?

By controlling the chain reaction, scientists can use it to release energy in a nuclear reactor

What else can nuclear fission be used for?

An uncontrolled fission reaction causes the explosion in a nuclear weapon

What is the process of nuclear fusion?

Two light nuclei (eg. Hydrogen) are joined together to form a heavier nucleus

What is released in nuclear fusion?

Lots of energy

Why can’t we create nuclear fusion on earth?

Because in order to get two positive nuclei to be fused instead of repel eachother it would take extremely high temperatures to get them to move fast enough, which we can’t do

Where is this process naturally occurring?

In stars