Fission Vs Fusion

Question 1

What is nuclear fission?

Answer 1

Type of nuclear reaction that is used to release energy from large unstable atoms by splitting them into smaller ones
The nucleus usually releases neutrons which leads to more nuclear fission (chain reaction)

Question 2

How do nuclear weapons work?

Answer 2

Uncontrolled chain reaction leads yo lots of energy being released as an explosion

Question 3

What is nuclear fusion?

Answer 3

Two nuclei collide at a high speed to join together to create a larger heavier nucleus
Some of the mass of the nuclei is converted to energy and released as radiation

Question 4

Why don’t we use fusion?

Answer 4

Requires too much energy as it requires high temperatures and pressure
Too expensive