What's the difference between fission & fusion ?
A nuclear reaction is a process in which atoms collide with other atoms
and lose some of their original mass. Because of the principle of
energy conservation the lost mass must reappear as generated energy,
according to Einstein's equation E = mc². The two types of nuclear
reactions used to produce energy are fission and fusion.
In a fission reaction, a heavy atomic nucleus is split into
smaller nuclei, other particles and radiation. In a typical reaction, an
atom of uranium 235 absorbs a neutron and splits into two lighter
atoms, barium and krypton, emitting radiation and neutrons. Under
special circumstances (the attainment of a "critical mass") the emitted
neutrons can split further atoms, which in turn bring about more
splitting, producing a very fast chain reaction. Nuclear power plants
exploit the process of fission to create energy.
In a fusion reaction, two or more light atomic nuclei fuse to form a
single heavier nucleus. The mass change in the process is the source of
nuclear energy. Fusion within the cores of the sun and other stars
generates their radiating energy by fusing two hydrogen atoms to produce
a helium atom. Current researchers are using magnetic vacuum chambers
and laser beams in an attempt to generate the extreme high-temperatures
necessary for the fusion process. If successful, the net energy gain
would create a viable alternative energy option.
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