Nuclear fission is splitting a nucleus, this releases energy. The energy can be used to heat water and produce steam in a nuclear power station.
There are two commonly used radioactive substances in power stations:
A neutron is targeted at the radioactive nucleus. The nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei and more neutrons are released. This can start a chain reaction
The explosion caused by a nuclear weapon is caused by an uncontrolled chain reaction
The chain reaction is controlled in a reactor to control the amount of energy released
Advantages of Nuclear (fission) power stations:
Disadvantages of Nuclear (fission) power stations:
In the nucleus of an atom, electromagnetic forces act between protons to repel each other. The strong nuclear force holds them together. The strong nuclear force is stronger than the electromagnetic force but only acts over very small distances.
Nuclear fusion is the joining together of two (hydrogen) nuclei. Pushing the nuclei together is difficult due to the electromagnetic repulsion between the positive charges. Once they are close enough for the strong nuclear force to act, the nuclei fuse together. A large amount of energy is released.
Fusion reactors are a source of ongoing research
Potential advantages:
Current difficulties:
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