Nuclear Fission and Fusion

Nuclear fission is either a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts (lighter nuclei).

The fission process often produces free neutrons and photons (in the form of gamma rays), and releases a very large amount of energy even by the energetic standards of radioactive decay.

Nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei come very close, then collide at a very high speed, and join to form a new type of atomic nucleus.

The fusion of two nuclei with lower masses than iron (which, along with nickel, has the largest binding energy per nucleon) generally releases energy, while the fusion of nuclei heavier than iron absorbs energy.

The opposite is true for the reverse process, nuclear fission. This means that fusion generally occurs for lighter elements only, and likewise, that fission normally occurs only for heavier elements.

Application of nuclear fission and fusion

1. Nuclear power plants to generate electricity for domestic and industrial use.
2. In making nuclear bombs.
3. Nuclear fusion is used in:
4. In fusion power plants to make electricity.
5. To make nuclear weapons such as the hydrogen bombs.