Question

Why do nuclear power plant's use fission in stead of fusion

Answer 1

Answer: You may remember that an element can exist in different forms, called isotopes. These differ only in the number of neutrons of their nuclei.

Explanation: The nuclei of some isotopes break apart naturally to form new elements, releasing energy. This is called nuclear decay. When neutrons are absorbed by nuclei and then cause nuclei to break apart, the reaction is called nuclear fission. Nuclear fission happens every day in nuclear power plants. It supplies the heat necessary to make the steam used to generate electricity.

Answer 2

Fission is used in nuclear power reactors since it can be controlled, while fusion is not utilized to produce power since the reaction is not easily controlled and is expensive to create the needed conditions for a fusion reaction