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Fission vs. Fusion
By Linda | April 7, 2009
As is the norm, my 11-year-old Science Junkie poses a question that requires some work on my part to answer correctly and succinctly…
What is the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Nuclear Fission
The word fission means to split apart. When the nucleus of an atom is split apart, a tremendous amount of energy is released. A very small amount of matter contains a very large amount of energy. This energy, when let out slowly, can be harnessed to generate electricity. When it is let out all at once, it can make a tremendous explosion in an atomic bomb. Inside the reactor of an atomic power plant, uranium atoms are split apart in a controlled chain reaction.
Although all atoms possess this latent energy, radioactive substances such as uranium possess heavy and unstable nuclei making them easier to manipulate into a chain reaction whereby a heavy nucleus is split into two lighter particles which in turn go off and strike other uranium atoms splitting those. This process is exothermic, meaning that it releases heat. The breakdown of the atoms in just one pound of uranium can produce energy equal to the burning of almost three million pounds of coal!
Nuclear Fusion
Fusion means joining lighter nuclei to make heavier ones. The sun uses nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium atoms. This process, like fission, gives off energy in the form of heat, light and other radiation.
Scientists continue research on harnassing nuclear fusion as a viable energy source. A solution has not been found yet to maintain a fusion reaction in a contained space.
The advantage of utilizing nuclear fusion as an energy source is that it creates less radioactive waste than fission, and its supply of fuel can last far longer.
Topics: Science Factoids, Technology, The Petri Dish |
April 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
[...] Fission v. Fusion at ScienceJunkies.com [...]
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
[...] Nuclear Fission: Fusion may be commercially available by 2040 if we’re lucky, but fission is here today. There are environmental costs to uranium mining, and there are definite concerns [...]
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