What is the main difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the main difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
Fusion combines nuclei, fission splits them
Fusion splits nuclei, fission combines them
Fusion occurs in stars, fission occurs in reactors
Both are the same process
The main difference is that nuclear fusion combines light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, while nuclear fission splits a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the main difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
Solution: The main difference is that nuclear fusion combines light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, while nuclear fission splits a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei.
Steps: 4
Step 1: Understand that nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei come together to form one heavier nucleus.
Step 2: Recognize that nuclear fission is a process where one heavy atomic nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei.
Step 3: Remember that fusion releases energy when the light nuclei combine, while fission releases energy when the heavy nucleus splits.
Step 4: Note that fusion occurs in stars, like the sun, while fission is used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs.
