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.