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)
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Nuclear Fission |
Nuclear Fusion |
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-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. |