Chapter 18: Problem 73

Why are elevated temperatures necessary to initiate fusion reactions but not fission reactions?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Elevated temperatures are necessary to initiate fusion reactions because they provide the kinetic energy necessary for two light atomic nuclei to overcome their repulsive forces and combine. On the other hand, fission reactions do not require high temperatures because they are initiated by adding a neutron to the nucleus of a heavy atom, causing it to become unstable and split.

Step by step solution

Understand Fission

Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts (lighter nuclei). This process does not require elevated temperatures to initiate because it can be started by simply adding a neutron to the nucleus of a heavy atom like uranium or plutonium, causing the nucleus to destabilize and split.

Understand Fusion

Nuclear fusion is a process that takes place when two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nuclei, like when two hydrogen isotopes combine to form helium. This reaction, on the other hand, requires high temperatures to overcome the electromagnetic force of repulsion between the two positively charged nuclei.

Understanding the Temperature Necessity

The necessity of high temperatures is because these temperatures provide the necessary kinetic energy for fusion reactions to take place. The high speed of the particles due to high temperature ensures that the attracted forces become strong enough to overcome the repulsive forces when they come close to each other, thus initiating the fusion reaction. For fission, the temperature isn't a significant factor, as this process is more about the instability of certain large atomic nuclei and their fragmentation rather than the collision of two atomic nuclei.

Conclusion

In summary, the elevated temperatures necessary to initiate fusion reactions help to overcome the electromagnetic force of repulsion between the two positively charged nuclei. In fission reactions, elevated temperatures are not as crucial because the reaction is more about the instability of certain large atomic nuclei and their subsequent fragmentation.

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Why are elevated temperatures necessary to initiate fusion reactions but not fission reactions?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand Fission

Understand Fusion

Understanding the Temperature Necessity

Conclusion

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