Difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion ?

Question

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

**Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion: Explained**

Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are two fundamental processes that involve the release of nuclear energy. While both processes involve the manipulation of atomic nuclei, they differ in terms of the reactions and outcomes they produce. Let's explore the differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion in detail:

**1. Definition:**
- Nuclear fission: Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy.
- Nuclear fusion: Nuclear fusion is a process in which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a single, larger nucleus, resulting in the release of a significant amount of energy.

**2. Energy Release:**
- Nuclear fission: In fission, a large amount of energy is released when the heavy nucleus splits into smaller fragments, such as uranium-235 splitting into two smaller nuclei and several neutrons.
- Nuclear fusion: Fusion also releases a substantial amount of energy, but it occurs when light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, such as hydrogen nuclei fusing to form helium.

**3. Fuel Requirements:**
- Nuclear fission: Fission can occur with heavy elements like uranium-235 or plutonium-239. These elements are referred to as fissile materials and serve as fuel for nuclear reactors.
- Nuclear fusion: Fusion requires light elements such as hydrogen isotopes, specifically deuterium and tritium, which are abundantly available in seawater and can be extracted for fusion reactions.

**4. Reaction Conditions:**
- Nuclear fission: Fission reactions require a critical mass of fissile material, which can be achieved by enriching uranium or plutonium. The reaction is sustained by the addition of a neutron source to initiate the chain reaction.
- Nuclear fusion: Fusion reactions require extremely high temperatures and pressures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between atomic nuclei. This is typically achieved by heating a plasma to millions of degrees Celsius.

**5. Reactor Types:**
- Nuclear fission: Fission occurs naturally in radioactive materials, but controlled fission reactions take place in nuclear reactors, where the energy is harnessed for electricity generation.
- Nuclear fusion: Fusion reactions have not yet been achieved on a large scale because of the difficulty in confining and controlling the high-temperature plasma. However, scientists are actively researching and developing fusion reactors, such as tokamaks and stellarators.

**6. Waste Generation:**
- Nuclear fission: Fission reactions produce radioactive waste, including spent nuclear fuel and other byproducts, which require safe storage and disposal due to their long half-lives.
- Nuclear fusion: Fusion reactions produce minimal radioactive waste because the fuel used, deuterium, can be extracted from seawater and does not generate long-lived radioactive isotopes as byproducts.

In summary, nuclear fission involves the splitting of heavy atomic nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy, while nuclear fusion involves the combining of light atomic nuclei to form heavier ones, also resulting in a significant energy release. Both processes have distinct fuel requirements, reaction conditions, and produce different types of waste. While fission is currently utilized in nuclear power plants, fusion is an ongoing field of research with the potential to provide a clean and virtually limitless energy source for the future.

Answer

During Nuclear fission two heavy nucleus fuse together whereas during Nuclear fusion two heavy nucleus fuse together

Similar Class 12 Doubts

Distinguish between nuclear fusion and fission?

What is difference between cell division and binary fission?

Nuclear fission and fusion ? alpha and beta decay?

Nuclear fission and fusion alpha and beta decay?

A nuclear reaction is given byrepresents

Top Courses for Class 12

Suggested Free Tests

Related Content

Schools

Competitive Examinations

Quick Access Links

Technical Exams