Difference between Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion

Summary

This video from MooMoo Math and Science explains the key differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Nuclear fission involves splitting a large atom, like uranium-235, into smaller elements, releasing energy and creating radioactive byproducts. It’s used in nuclear reactors to generate electricity. On the other hand, nuclear fusion combines lighter elements, such as hydrogen isotopes, into a larger one, like helium, releasing much more energy than fission and without the harmful byproducts. Fusion powers stars, including our Sun, but requires extremely high temperatures to occur.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Nuclear fusion is the process of combining atoms, while nuclear fission involves splitting them.
• ⚡ Nuclear fission occurs when a neutron hits uranium-235, causing it to split into smaller elements and release energy, neutrons, and gamma rays.
• 🔗 The fission process can trigger a chain reaction, as new neutrons produced can go on to split other uranium-235 atoms.
• ⚖️ Nuclear fission releases a significant amount of energy, more than chemical reactions but less than nuclear fusion.
• ☢️ The byproducts of nuclear fission, such as iodine-131, cesium-137, and strontium-90, can be radioactive and hazardous.
• 🌡️ Nuclear fission is used to generate electricity by heating steam to turn turbines, with 439 reactors currently operational worldwide.
• 🌟 Nuclear fusion is the process that powers stars, combining lighter elements like hydrogen isotopes into heavier ones like helium.
• 🔥 Achieving nuclear fusion on Earth requires extremely high temperatures, around 100 million degrees Celsius.
• 🌌 Fusion begins in a protostar when the core becomes hot enough due to the energy released from the collapse of gas.
• 💥 Nuclear fusion produces more energy than fission and does not result in long-lived radioactive waste.

Q & A

What is the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Nuclear fission involves the splitting of large atoms like uranium-235 into smaller elements, while nuclear fusion is the merging of lighter elements, such as hydrogen isotopes, into larger ones.

How does nuclear fission occur?

In nuclear fission, a neutron strikes a large atom like uranium-235, making it unstable (uranium-236). It then splits into lighter elements, releasing energy, neutrons, and gamma rays, which can trigger a chain reaction.

What are the byproducts of nuclear fission?

Nuclear fission produces radioactive byproducts like iodine-131, cesium-137, and strontium-90, which can remain hazardous for thousands of years.

Why is nuclear fission considered a dense energy source?

Nuclear fission releases much more energy compared to chemical reactions, making it a dense source of energy, though still less than nuclear fusion.

How is the energy from nuclear fission used in power generation?

The heat generated by nuclear fission is used to produce steam, which turns a turbine, generating electricity.

How many nuclear reactors are currently in operation worldwide?

There are 439 nuclear reactors operating in 30 countries around the world.

What is nuclear fusion?

Nuclear fusion is the process of combining lighter elements, like deuterium and tritium, into larger ones, such as helium, releasing a vast amount of energy in the process.

What conditions are needed for nuclear fusion to occur on Earth?

A temperature of approximately 100 million degrees Celsius is needed to fuse hydrogen into helium on Earth.

How does nuclear fusion occur in stars?

In stars, nuclear fusion begins when the core of a protostar becomes extremely hot due to the collapse of gas, allowing the fusion of lighter elements to form heavier ones.

Why is nuclear fusion considered a cleaner energy source compared to fission?

Nuclear fusion produces more energy than fission and does not generate long-lived radioactive byproducts.

Outlines

00:00

🔬 Introduction to Nuclear Fission and Fusion

This paragraph introduces the two concepts: nuclear fusion, which involves merging atoms, and nuclear fission, which involves splitting atoms. The video will explain both processes in detail, starting with nuclear fission.

⚛️ Explanation of Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a large atom like uranium-235 into smaller elements. A neutron strikes uranium-235, making it unstable and causing it to split into lighter elements, releasing neutrons, gamma rays, and energy. This can lead to a chain reaction, producing significantly more energy than a chemical reaction but less than nuclear fusion. However, fission produces radioactive byproducts like iodine-131, cesium-137, and strontium-90, which can remain hazardous for thousands of years and cause serious health risks, including cancer and death.

💡 Applications of Nuclear Fission in Energy Production

The heat generated from nuclear fission is used to produce steam, which powers turbines to generate electricity. Currently, there are 439 nuclear reactors across 30 countries utilizing this process. Nuclear fission is an efficient energy source, though it comes with the risks of radioactive waste.

🌟 Introduction to Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is the process of combining lighter elements into a larger one. For example, hydrogen isotopes (deuterium and tritium) can fuse to form helium, releasing a neutron and significant energy. However, this process requires an immense amount of energy to occur, with temperatures of around 100 million degrees Celsius needed to fuse hydrogen into helium.

🌠 The Role of Nuclear Fusion in Stars

Nuclear fusion powers stars, including the sun. A protostar, which is a young star, becomes extremely hot from collapsing gas. Once the core reaches a high enough temperature, nuclear fusion begins. This process is responsible for creating the elements found in stars and releases more energy than nuclear fission without producing harmful radioactive byproducts.

😊 Final Thought: The Power of Kindness

The video concludes by encouraging viewers to spread kindness, reminding them that kindness multiplies when shared. It's a motivational note aimed at promoting positive behavior.

Keywords

💡Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, releasing a significant amount of energy. In the context of the video, it is described as the process where a large atom like uranium-235 is split into smaller elements by a neutron, resulting in the release of additional neutrons, gamma rays, and energy. This process can initiate a chain reaction, which is harnessed to produce electricity in nuclear reactors, as mentioned in the script with the current count of 439 reactors worldwide.

💡Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is the process where two or more atomic nuclei come together to form a single, more massive nucleus, releasing energy in the process. The video explains that fusion involves the combining of lighter elements, such as isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium), to form a heavier element like helium, along with the release of a neutron and a large amount of energy. This process is the energy source of stars and is depicted as more energetic and cleaner than fission, as it does not produce long-lived radioactive waste.

💡Uranium-235

Uranium-235 is a fissile isotope of uranium that can be used as fuel in nuclear reactors due to its ability to sustain a chain reaction through fission. The video script describes how a neutron striking uranium-235 initiates the fission process, leading to the production of energy and other radioactive byproducts. Uranium-235 is a key component in the discussion of nuclear fission as it is the primary fuel used in current nuclear power plants.

💡Chain Reaction

A chain reaction in nuclear fission occurs when the neutrons released from the fission of one nucleus go on to cause further fissions in other nuclei, creating a self-sustaining series of reactions. The video script uses the term to illustrate how the fission of uranium-235 can lead to a cascade of further fissions, releasing a large amount of energy. This principle is fundamental to the operation of nuclear reactors for electricity generation.

💡Radioactive Byproducts

Radioactive byproducts are substances that remain radioactive after a nuclear reaction and can pose health and environmental risks. The video mentions iodine-131, cesium-137, and strontium-90 as examples of such byproducts created during nuclear fission. These elements can be harmful if not managed properly, as they can cause sickness, cancer, and even death, highlighting the need for careful handling and disposal in nuclear energy production.

💡Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation that is emitted during nuclear reactions, such as fission and fusion. In the video, gamma rays are mentioned as one of the products released during the fission of uranium-235. They are a type of ionizing radiation that can be harmful to living organisms and must be shielded against in nuclear facilities.

💡Deuterium and Tritium

Deuterium and tritium are isotopes of hydrogen, which are used as fuel in nuclear fusion reactions. The video explains that when these isotopes fuse, they form helium and release a neutron along with a large amount of energy. These isotopes are significant in the discussion of nuclear fusion as they represent the light elements that can be combined to release energy, similar to the processes occurring in the cores of stars.

💡Temperature

In the context of nuclear fusion, temperature is a critical factor that must be reached to initiate the fusion process. The video states that a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius is required on Earth to fuse hydrogen into helium. This extreme temperature is necessary to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between atomic nuclei, allowing them to come close enough for the strong nuclear force to bind them together.

💡Protostar

A protostar is an early stage in the formation of a star, where a cloud of gas and dust collapses under gravity. The video describes how the energy released from this collapse heats the core of the protostar to the point where nuclear fusion can begin. This concept is important in understanding the life cycle of stars and the conditions under which fusion occurs naturally.

💡Kindness Multiplies

While not a scientific term, 'kindness multiplies' is a moral message at the end of the video, encouraging viewers to be kind to others. It serves as a reminder that positive actions can have a ripple effect, spreading goodwill and positivity. This message is a way to conclude the educational content with a positive and uplifting note, emphasizing the importance of human values alongside scientific knowledge.

Highlights

Nuclear fission involves the splitting of a large atom, like uranium-235, into smaller elements.

A neutron strikes uranium-235, creating unstable uranium-236, which quickly splits into lighter elements.

The process of nuclear fission releases neutrons, gamma rays, and energy.

Nuclear fission can trigger a chain reaction, making it a dense energy source.

Products of nuclear fission, such as iodine-131, cesium-137, and strontium-90, can remain radioactive for thousands of years.

Exposure to these radioactive elements can cause sickness, cancer, and even death.

Heat from nuclear fission is used to generate electricity by heating steam to turn turbines.

There are 439 nuclear reactors currently in operation across 30 countries worldwide.

Nuclear fusion involves combining lighter elements, like isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium), to form a larger one.

Nuclear fusion of hydrogen isotopes produces helium, a neutron, and significant amounts of energy.

It requires immense energy to force nuclei to fuse, needing temperatures around 100 million degrees Celsius on Earth.

Nuclear fusion is the energy source of stars.

Protostars are young stars where nuclear fusion begins due to the extreme heat at their core.

Nuclear fusion creates more energy than nuclear fission and does not produce radioactive byproducts.

Nuclear fusion is responsible for the creation of elements within stars.

Transcripts

welcome to MooMoo Math and Science in

this video let's talk about the

difference between nuclear fission

and nuclear fusion to begin with nuclear

fusion means to merge atoms together

and nuclear fission means to divide or

split

let's begin with nuclear fission

nuclear fission like I said is the

splitting of a large atom like

uranium-235 into smaller elements

a neutron strikes uranium-235 which then

becomes a very unstable uranium-236

which quickly splits into lighter

elements and gives off additional

neutrons gamma rays and energy

these new neutrons then strike other

uranium-235 atoms which repeat this

process and this can set off a chain

reaction

the energy given off is much greater

than a chemical reaction which makes it

a very dense source of energy but less

than nuclear fusion the products of

nuclear fission like iodine 131

ccm-137 and strontium-90 are created in

this process and can be radioactive for

thousands of years

exposures to each of these elements can

cause sickness cancer and even death

the heat from nuclear fission can be

used to heat steam which in turn turns a

turbine to produce electricity currently

there are 439 nuclear reactors in

operation in 30 countries around the

world

on the other hand nuclear fusion is the

combining or fusing of two or more

lighter elements into a larger one for

example two isotopes of hydrogen

deuterium and tritium

can fuse and produce helium and give off

one Neutron plus lots and lots of energy

it takes considerable energy to force

nuclei to fuse

even those of the lightest elements it

is estimated that on earth a temperature

of 100 million degrees Celsius would be

needed to fuse hydrogen into helium

nuclear fusion is the energy source of

stars

but how does this happen

a protostar is a very young star

the energy released from the collapse of

gas into a protostar causes the center

of the protostar to become extremely hot

when the core is hot enough nuclear

fusion begins

nuclear fusion is what created the

elements of the Stars nuclear fusion

creates more energy than nuclear fission

and does not create the radioactive

byproducts thanks for watching and

remember kindness multiplies kindness be

kind to someone today