Nuclear fission involves splitting a heavy nucleus into two smaller ones, while nuclear fusion combines two light nuclei into a heavier one, both releasing energy. Critical mass in fission and high temperature and pressure in fusion are required for respective chain reactions. Both have applications in energy production and military but differ in their conditions and commercial viability.
Nuclear Fission and Fusion
Nuclear fission is a process where a heavy nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy. This process is what powers nuclear reactors and is also the basis for the destructive force of atomic bombs. A critical mass of the fissile material is required to sustain a fission chain reaction, which is a series of fissions where released neutrons from one fission event trigger further fissions.
Nuclear fusion involves the combination of two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process. Fusion is the reaction that powers the sun and other stars. For fusion to occur on Earth, extremely high temperatures and pressures are necessary to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged nuclei.
Both fission and fusion require strict conditions for energy production. While fission requires a critical mass of radioactive material, fusion requires high temperature and pressure. Both processes have applications in energy generation and in weaponry, but fusion remains less commercially viable due to the technological difficulties of sustaining controlled reactions under the required conditions.