Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission

Fundamentals of Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission refers to the division of a heavy atom’s nucleus into smaller, stable nuclei.
Commonly, elements like uranium or plutonium undergo this process.
Neutron absorption by the nucleus triggers this split, rendering the atom unstable and leading to fission.
A significant amount of energy is discharged during fission, along with two to three fresh neutrons.
These excess neutrons can initiate more fissions, bringing about a chain reaction.
In a nuclear reactor, control rods are crucial to absorb extra neutrons, thus controlling the reaction rate and preventing an uncontrollable chain reaction.
Across the globe, nuclear power plants make use of nuclear fission to generate electricity.
Although the process is highly efficient and requires minimal fuel, it has severe environmental implications, such as the production of radioactive waste.

Essentials of Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei unite to form a denser nucleus, liberating a large quantity of energy.
This process illustrates the functioning of the sun and other stars.
Unlike nuclear fission, nuclear fusion doesn’t result in harmful radioactive waste production, offering a potentially more sustainable and cleaner energy source.
At present, nuclear fusion demands extremely high temperatures and pressures, not making it a practical technology for energy production.
Ongoing research efforts aim at achieving controlled nuclear fusion, which could lead to dependable, effective, and sustainable energy generation.

Comparing Fission and Fusion

Fission and fusion are two nuclear reactions that generate energy, but their properties and impacts significantly vary.
While fission involves tearing apart a large, heavy nucleus, fusion combines light nuclei.
Fission leads to radioactive waste production, a challenge not faced by fusion.
Although fusion holds the potential to produce greater energy quantities than fission, it faces more complex technological issues for controlled use in power stations.