Final answer:
Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller parts, releasing energy, and is used both in nuclear reactors and weaponry, like the nuclear bombs in World War II. Nuclear fusion is when two light nuclei combine into a heavier nucleus releasing more energy than fission, as seen in stars, and represents a significant potential energy source for the future.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences between Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion
The main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion is based on the reactions involved in the atomic nuclei. Nuclear fission is the process whereby an atomic nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, along with other particles and the release of energy. This is used in nuclear reactors and was famously used in the nuclear weapons detonated at the end of World War II. On the other hand, nuclear fusion involves two light atomic nuclei combining to form a heavier nucleus, releasing even more energy than fission. Fusion is the process that powers the sun and other stars, making it a potent source of energy that scientists are striving to harness for use on Earth.
Examples of fission include the splitting of Uranium-235 (U-235) and Plutonium-239 (Pu-239), which are used in nuclear reactors to generate power. Radiochemistry has revealed evidence such as short-lived isotopes of barium from the fission products of uranium. In contrast, fusion has not been fully controlled but is intensely researched due to its potential to provide a nearly limitless and cleaner energy source compared to fission.
Energy Release in Fission and Fusion
The release of energy in both processes is due to the alteration in nucleon bonds within the nuclei. During fission, the splitting nucleus releases energy because the resultant smaller nuclei have a higher nuclear stability than the original nucleus. In fusion, the resulting nucleus is also more stable than the initial combining nuclei, and this transition to a more stable state releases a vast amount of energy, much more per reaction than in fission, hence its appeal as an energy source.