Nuclear Fusion vs. Nuclear Fission By Eleni Pitses

E=mc² This idea was established by Albert Einstein, one of the most influential physicists in history It can be thought of as a conversion factor.

E=mc² In early chemistry/physics classes, students are taught that mass is never lost or gained… However, very small amounts of mass can be lost, and therefore they will be converted into very large amounts of energy…. (Lampe).

2 E=mc Number of units of mass Speed of light This much energy Amount of Energy This much mass

Nuclear Fission Nuclear fission is the process by which energy is produced when large atoms (such as Uranium) are split. The sum of the masses of the components is less than that of the original nucleus, therefore (according to E=mc^2) vast amounts of energy are yielded.

Nuclear Fusion Nuclear fusion is the process by which two small nuclei (such as hydrogen) fuse to form a larger nucleus. The mass of the product is less than the mass of the components; massive amounts of energy are released Fusion reactions power the sun and the stars. The environment must be as hot as the sun for a fusion reaction to take place. “Cold” fusion is being pursued

Pros and Cons of Fission The technology is very similar to that of a nuclear bomb (trust issue) There is a risk of nuclear meltdown Large quantities of radioactive waste must be properly disposed of Dangerous radiation is released from fission plants (as neutrons are released). The initial cost of building a plant is very high. Cannot provide for all of the world’s energy needs; the need for fossil fuels is still existent. (Caldicott) Technology is already available (Newton, Nuclear Power)

Pros and Cons of Fusion Has the potential to create unlimited energy for the world; therefore less need for environmentally harmful fossil fuels Only biproduct= helium Significant scientific obstacles Very expensive

Fusion Obstacles… In order for the atoms to collide and fuse, they need to be moving very fast. Since protons have similar charges, they naturally repel each other. Immense heat and pressure (such as that on the sun) is needed for fusion to take place. “Cold” fusion is being pursued… Talk more about cold fusion…

Picture from EPA

Adverse Effects of other energy sources Coal: mining permanently damages land, releases chemicals such as sulfur dioxide The world’s resources, such as coal and oil, may be exhausted. “At current rates of use, known gas reserves will be used up in about 40 years”(Fossil Fuels 2). As of 2001, “oil currently supplies about 40% of all commercial energy use, while coal contributes about 22%” (Fossil Fuels 3).

Conclusion… Therefore (although the road to developing a fusion plant is very long, expensive, and difficult) for the well-being of our planet and for future generations, nuclear fusion should be pursued for energy.

Works Cited Caldicott, Helen. Nuclear Power is Not the Answer. New York: The New Press, 2006. Print. Seife, Charles. Sun in a Bottle. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2008. Print. "Possible Future Energy Sources." Alternative Energy. Ed. Neil Schlager and Jayne Weisblatt. Vol. 3: Water Energy, Wind Energy, Energy Conservation and Efficiency, Possible Future Energy Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2006. 379-409. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 28 Apr. 2010 Newton, David. "Nuclear Power." 2. (2003): n. pag. Web. 19 Apr 2010. "Fossil Fuels." Gale Encyclopedia of Science. 2001. Web. Lee, Lerner. "Nuclear Fusion." World of Earth Science 2. (2003): 403-404. Web. 13 Apr 2010. "Fusion Reactor." Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. Newton, David. "Nuclear Fusion." Environmental Encyclopedia. 3. 2. Detroit: 2003. Web. Lampe, Ben. Personal Interview. 19 April. 2010 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.gov)