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Chapter 18: Problem 5

Explain the difference between fission and fusion.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Fission is a nuclear reaction where a heavy, unstable nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing a lot of energy. Fusion is a reaction where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier one, also releasing a substantial amount of energy. Both reactions are exothermic, but they involve different types of nuclei and processes.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding nuclear fission

Nuclear fission is a reaction in which a large, unstable nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei. This process is accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy in the form of gamma rays and kinetic energy of the fragments. It is the reaction that fuels nuclear power plants and atomic bombs.
02

Understanding nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, is a reaction where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. This process also releases a lot of energy and is responsible for the energy produced by the stars, including the sun.
03

Comparing Fission and Fusion

Nuclear fission and fusion are both reactions that involve the nuclei of atoms and release a lot of energy, but they are fundamentally different. Fission involves the splitting of a heavy, unstable nucleus into two lighter nuclei, and fusion is the process where two light nuclei combine together releasing vast amounts of energy.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The half-life of cobalt--60 is 10.47 min. How many milligrams of \(\mathrm{Co}-60\) remain after 104.7 min if you start with 10.0 \(\mathrm{mg}\) of \(\mathrm{Co}-60\) ?

It takes about \(10^{6}\) y for just half the samar- ium-149 in nature to decay by alpha-particle emission. Write the decay equation, and find the isotope that is produced by the reaction.

What type of radiation is emitted in the decay described by the following equation? $$_{19}^{43} \mathrm{K} \rightarrow_{20}^{43} \mathrm{Ca}+?$$

Write the nuclear equation for the release of an alpha particle by \(_{70}^{157} \mathrm{Yb} .\)

The half-life of an element \(X\) is 5.25 y. How many days are required for one-fourth of a given amount of \(X\) to decay?
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