nuclear fission is either a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts Only low energy neutrons (around 1 eV) favor nuclear fission A chain reaction refers to a process in which neutrons released in fission produce an additional fission in at least one further nucleus.

Although two to three neutrons are produced for every fission, not all of these neutrons are available for continuing the fission reaction To maintain the reaction there must be a minimum required mass of fissionable material, this is the critical mass In an atomic bomb, critical mass must be assembled instantaneously and held together for about a millionth of a second to allow the chain reaction to propagate before the bomb explodes

A nuclear reactor used in energy production should not explode or use fuel capable of being easily made into a bomb. Uranium enrichment is the percentage of U-235 isotopes within a sample of Uranium Uranium enrichment levels are 3% - 5% for reactor grade material used in electric energy generation. At least one neutron from each fission event, on average, goes on to fission with another nucleus.

Uranium enrichment levels go to 99% for weapons Designed to explode Reaction grows exponentially, a fission initiates two more which initiates 4 more etc. )

1.The amount of nuclear weapons possessed by each country amount to enough destructive energy to destroy the world 2.There are clear environmental implications of the use of nuclear weapons, mining uranium can cause environmental contamination 3.There are ethical issues with the deaths and health problems (skin cancer, malformations, etc.) that this weapon of mass destruction causes. 4.Nuclear waste is temporarily stored, yet there is no permanent disposal system 5.Thermal meltdowns can occur in nuclear reactors Usually due to loss of coolant, loss of pressure control, or power surges

Lockheed Martin corporation has been working on a fusion reactor using “tokamaks” that store plasma. Theoretically when the hydrogens fuse it produces energy that can be converted into electricity.

Hydrogen Bomb, Requires fission of Uranium to achieve enough energy to ignite the fusion of hydrogen. The result is a more destructive nuclear weapon.

1.Marks, Alan. "Physics of Uranium and Nuclear Energy." Physics of Uranium and Nuclear Energy. World Nuclear Association, Sept Web. 02 Nov Nave, R. "Nuclear Fusion." Nuclear Fusion. Hyper-Physics, n.d. Web. 02 Nov "Nuclear Fission and Fusion." BBC News. BBC, Web. 02 Nov "Nuclear Fission and Fusion." IEA -Nuclear Fission and Fusion. International Energy Agency, Web. 02 Nov Rossenfeld, Carrie. "Nuclear Chain Reactions." Atomicarchive.com: Exploring the History, Science, and Consequences of the Atomic Bomb. National Science Foundation, Web. 02 Nov

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