Question

part c: distinguish between fission and fusion
go to nuclear fission and fusion - difference and comparison | diffen

1. fill in the chart showing the differences between fission and fusion.
2. draw the diagram for a nuclear fusion and nuclear fission reaction.
3. which occurs naturally in nature, fission or fusion? explain.
4. which type of reaction is used in an atom bomb? a hydrogen bomb?
5. which type of bomb was detonated by the united states in 1945 on the japanese city of hiroshima?
6. which is more environmentally friendly, a fission or fusion reaction? explain.

Explanation:

• Natural occurrence of the process: Nuclear fission occurs in some natural radioactive decay (e.g., in uranium - rich ores in a limited sense), while nuclear fusion occurs naturally in stars (like the Sun).
• Byproducts of the reaction: Fission produces radioactive waste (e.g., strontium - 90, cesium - 137) and heavy nuclei. Fusion produces non - radioactive helium (in the case of hydrogen - hydrogen fusion).
• Energy Ratios: Fusion generally releases more energy per unit mass of fuel than fission. For example, the energy from fusing hydrogen to helium is much higher per mass compared to splitting uranium.
• Nuclear weapon: Fission is used in atomic bombs (e.g., the first nuclear weapons). Fusion is used in hydrogen bombs (which are often triggered by a fission bomb).
• Definition: Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus (e.g., \(^{235}\text{U}\)) into smaller nuclei. Nuclear fusion is the combining of light nuclei (e.g., \(^{2}\text{H}\) and \(^{3}\text{H}\)) to form a heavier nucleus.
• Conditions: Fission can be controlled (in nuclear reactors) with moderators and control rods. Fusion requires extremely high temperatures (millions of degrees Celsius) and pressures (like in a tokamak or in a star).
• Energy requirement: Fission reactors need energy to start the chain reaction (e.g., from a neutron source), but once going, it can be self - sustaining. Fusion requires a large amount of energy input to overcome the Coulomb repulsion between nuclei (e.g., in experimental fusion reactors).

For question 3: Fusion occurs naturally in stars. Fission has a very limited natural occurrence (e.g., in some ancient uranium deposits where a natural nuclear reactor occurred).

For question 4: An atom bomb uses fission. A hydrogen bomb uses fusion (triggered by a fission bomb).

For question 5: The bomb detonated in Hiroshima was a fission bomb.

For question 6: Fusion is more environmentally friendly. Fission produces long - lived radioactive waste. Fusion (if using hydrogen isotopes) produces non - radioactive helium.

Answer:

1.

	Nuclear Fission	Nuclear Fusion
Byproducts of the reaction	Radioactive waste and heavy nuclei	Non - radioactive helium (in some cases)
Energy Ratios	Less energy per unit mass than fusion	More energy per unit mass than fission
Nuclear weapon	Used in atomic bombs	Used in hydrogen bombs (triggered by fission)
Definition	Splitting of a heavy nucleus	Combining of light nuclei
Conditions	Controlled with moderators and control rods	Extremely high temperatures and pressures
Energy requirement	Needs initial energy (e.g., neutron source), then self - sustaining	Large energy input to overcome Coulomb repulsion

1. (Diagrams would need to be drawn. For fission: a heavy nucleus splitting into smaller nuclei with neutrons released. For fusion: two light nuclei combining into a heavier nucleus with energy release)
2. Fusion occurs naturally in stars. Fission has a very limited natural occurrence.
3. An atom bomb: fission. A hydrogen bomb: fusion (triggered by fission).
4. Fission bomb.
5. Fusion is more environmentally friendly. Fission produces long - lived radioactive waste. Fusion (if using hydrogen isotopes) produces non - radioactive helium.