Issue # 44: Nuclear Energy: Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion

Daniel Iyamuremye -

Nuclear Fission: splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus, such as that of Uranium or Plutonium, into two fragments of roughly equal mass.

Nuclear Fusion: a reaction through which two or more light nuclei collide to form a heavier nucleus.

Nuclear chain reaction: a process in which neutrons released in the fission produce more fission of more nuclei as long as fissile nuclei are available as shown below:

                                                 (chem.libretext.org)

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Fusion

-A large or heavy nucleus is split into 2 smaller nuclei.

-Neutron is used to split the heavy nucleus.

-Enormous amount of Energy is produced.

-A chain reaction takes place.

-Radioactive products and wastes are generated.

-Energy produced is harnessed to be used peacefully: Nuclear reactors for generation of Electricity.

-Energy produced is used in nuclear or atomic bombs; in this case, the energy produced is not controlled.

-Problem of disposal of radioactive wastes.

-Two or more light nuclei collide and fuse into one larger nucleus.

 

-Enormous amount of Energy is produced.

-No chain reaction.

-No generation of radioactive products and wastes.

-Up to now, no technology is yet available to harness the Energy produced

-Up to now, the Energy produced is used in atomic bomb, specifically in Hydrogen bomb: the energy is not controlled.

-Apart the destruction effect, no other environmental damage is known.

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Fusion

-A large or heavy nucleus is split into 2 smaller nuclei.

-Neutron is used to split the heavy nucleus.

-Enormous amount of Energy is produced.

-A chain reaction takes place.

-Radioactive products and wastes are generated.

-Energy produced is harnessed to be used peacefully: Nuclear reactors for generation of Electricity.

-Energy produced is used in nuclear or atomic bombs; in this case, the energy produced is not controlled.

-Problem of disposal of radioactive waste.

-Two or more light nuclei collide and fuse into one larger nucleus.

 

-Enormous amount of Energy is produced.

-No chain reaction.

-No generation of radioactive products and wastes.

-Up to now, no technology is yet available to harness the Energy produced

-Up to now, the Energy produced is used in atomic bomb, specifically in Hydrogen bomb: the energy is not controlled.

-Apart the destruction effect, no other environmental damage is known.