What is the main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Fission combines nuclei, fusion splits them
Fission splits nuclei, fusion combines them
Fission occurs in stars, fusion occurs in reactors
Fission is safer than fusion
Nuclear fission involves the splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, while nuclear fusion involves the combining of light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Solution: Nuclear fission involves the splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, while nuclear fusion involves the combining of light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus.
Steps: 3
Step 1: Understand that nuclear fission is when a large atom (nucleus) breaks apart into smaller atoms.
Step 2: Recognize that nuclear fusion is when small atoms (nuclei) come together to form a larger atom.
Step 3: Remember that fission releases energy by splitting, while fusion releases energy by combining.
