Criteria A / what is nuclear fission and fusion

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting two large atoms into two smaller atoms and release energy.(Holt, Rinehart and Winston) The Fission then produces a large amount of energy given off as a form of heat. when atom fragments hit each other they then split and produce more heat. This heat is then used in nuclear power plants to produce electricity. (Thinkquest, 1998)

This picture is one of fission

(Clyde, Schleier- Smith, Tseng, 1996)


Another form of nuclear energy is called fusion. Fusion means joining smaller nuclei to create a larger nucleus. The sun uses the nuclear fusion of many hydrogen atoms to make 1 helium atom for each pair. This gives off heat and light as well as other radiation.Scientists have been working on controlling nuclear fusion for a long time, trying to make it produce electricity. Now that they know how they have been having trouble learning how to control the reaction in a contained space. Nuclear fusion is the better of the two because it creates less radioactive material than fission, and its supply of "fuel" or power can last longer than the sun.(Aldrich, B; 2006)

Einstein discovered what fuels the sun and came up with the famous equation E=MC^2 which means energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. This says that if the sun were made of coal then it would only last thousands of years versus if it fuses or gives of nuclear energy like it actually does it could last billions of years. (Doyle, 2000)

This picture is one that explains fusion

(nuclear fusion experts,2007)