Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Fission Vs. Nuclear Fusion

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Part I Nuclear Fission vs. Nuclear Fusion. Both fission and fusion use atoms, specifically the neutron and proton, to generate energy. The protons and neutrons make up the nucleus of an atom, therefore making up the mass, which is converted into energy, but fission and fusion are two different ways of harnessing that energy. In a fission reaction, the nucleus of an atom is split. Neutrons are released, forming nuclear energy, and the remaining nuclei are lighter.1 Think of fission a little bit like opening a nutshell, for example, a pistachio. As you put pressure and force into breaking the shell, it breaks in two and pieces may fly off. Similarly, when the atoms are forced apart, they break in two and neutrons fly away and energy is released. In a fusion, two atoms’ nuclei join to create a much heavier nucleus.1 The two atoms collide and together make a new atom while releasing neutrons in the form of energy. Imagine this as two cars in a head-on collision. When they collide, they stick together (not forming a new atom like in nuclear fusion, but let’s pretend,) and when they crash, some of the bumper flies off. The atoms collide and neutrons, like the bumper, fly off in the form of energy. 1: UC Davis, ChemWiki: The Dynamic Chemistry E-Textbook, Fission and Fusion. Photo: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/cold-fusion-the-controversy-plus-the-pros-cons/ https://sites.google.com/a/siprep.org/physics-nuclear-war-project/home/part-10 Part II PhET Simulation on Nuclear Physics “Fission: One Nucleus” The trigger of the fission is the introduction of another neutron. “Chain Reaction” A nuclear chain reaction is a series of atoms undergoing fission. It occurs because when a neutron is introduced to ... ... middle of paper ... ...ing of nuclear weapons, because that is how the Cold War started. And the Cold War led to this nation’s depression and it hurt not only our nation, but also the world. This project has opened my eyes to the dangers and uses of nuclear energy and has given me insights on policies and terms associated with nuclear energy in general. Nuclear energy is beautiful and powerful, but it is also destructive and dangerous, and in the wrong hands, deadly. Our world needs nuclear energy, but may be destroyed by nuclear weapons. There is a give and a take, a light and a darkness, and nuclear energy is no exception. What we need is caution, knowledge about nuclear energy, and a plan for the future. This project has given me those things, now I must go out and make the world a better place. 1: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/20/us-northkorea-nuclear-idUSBREA4J06020140520

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