1. Nuclear Reactions: Fission & Fusion

2. Nuclear Fission
Is the process of splitting an atomic nucleus into several smaller pieces
Usually only occurs with relatively large, unstable nuclei
A neutron is fired into the target nucleus, splitting the atom into smaller pieces
Fission releases a HUGE amount of ENERGY!!!!
Also releases
harmful wave
and particle
radiation
Thornburg 2014

3. Nuclear Chain Reaction
when a nucleus is split apart, it often releases fast moving neutrons
These neutrons in turn smash into other nuclei and split them, releasing even more neutrons
(snow ball
effect)
Thornburg 2014

4. Nuclear Fusion
Occurs when 2 smaller nuclei fuse (combine) to form a larger nucleus
Releases even more energy than nuclear fission
Does not release harmful radiation like nuclear fission does
Thornburg 2014

5. Nuclear Fusion The fusion of hydrogen atoms occurs on the
surface of the sun
2 heavy isotopes of hydrogen are combined to form a helium atom
Thornburg 2014