Fission and Fusion

Miguel Del Rosario Period 3

Fission
In nuclear physics, nuclear fission is either a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts. The fission process often produces free neutrons and photons (in the form of gamma rays), and releasing a very large amount of energy even by the energetic standards of radioactive decay. Fission is a form of nuclear transmutation because the resulting fragments are not the same element as the original atom. The two nuclei produced are most often of comparable but slightly different sizes, typically with a mass ratio of products of about 3 to 2, for common fissile isotopes. In short, Fission is the splitting of something into two parts.

History of Fission The discovery of nuclear fission occurred in 1938, following nearly five decades of work on the science of radioactivity and the elaboration of newnuclear physics that described the components of atoms.

Problems of Fission Some of the waste products from the spent fuel are very radioactive. The plants are expensive to build, and to insure.

Fission
was also used in the Manhattan Project during World War II in the US, who was trying to develop an atomic bomb.

Fusion
In nuclear physics, nuclear fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei collide at very high speed and join to form a new type of atomic nucleus. During this process, matter is not conserved because some of the mass of the fusing nuclei is converted to photons which are released through a cycle that even our sun uses. Fusion is the process that powers active stars.

History of Fusion
There are several scientists who worked throughout the history of nuclear fusion. First two scientists to discover the fact that energy is created when nuclei are fused together were Atkinson and Houtermans. They discovered this in 1929.

Problems of Fusion
It takes a huge amount of pressure and temperature to get started and maintain stably. Fusion experiments kept going so far are highly inefficient and take more energy to do than they produce It causes cancer

Fusion, today.
Fusion, is the process at work in every star's core, releasing an enormous amount of energy. Researchers have been trying to harness fusion and reproduce it on earth in a controlled manner. If they succeed, they will provide the world a safe, sustainable, environmentally responsible and abundant source of energy. For decades, the scientific community has been pursuing nuclear fusion, yet now research has reached a critical stage, as scientists are building an experimental reactor that one day may demonstrate that fusion can be used commercially to create electrical power.

Fission and Fusion

you see fusion every single day of your life, you use it everyday to keep you warm, you may even use it as electricity! The sun is a fusion reactor converting hydrogen into helium which then radiates the earth with light and heat . Fission on the other hand is used to split atoms like in nuclear power plants. It does not emit toxic gases or green house gasses into the air but does have a harmful radioactive by product.

Fission and Fusion

other uses...
Radon in your basement or house is a product of nuclear fission. Sunlight which fuels photosynthesis in plants which are eaten by animals which produce the planets and meat on your table are the products of nuclear fusion. In Gunnison, CO, where there is a high radioactivity rate because of radioactive decay which is a form of nuclear fission. That's how it is related to real life

Radon in your house

In real life, nuclear fission is a modern day power source, that is very efficient and mostly clean. Fusion however, has not yet been used as a power source yet...hopefully someday. The sun, because of its large mass, causes lots of pressure in its core which makes it a natural fusion reactor.

Fusion

THE END