Question

Roberto makes a graphic organizer to compare fusion nuclear reactions and fission nuclear reactions.

A venn diagram with 2 intersecting circles The circle on the left is labeled fusion. The circle on the right is labeled fission. There is a Z in the fission circle. There is an Y in the intersecting area. There is an X in the fusion circle.

Which labels belong in the regions marked X, Y, and Z?

X: Smaller nuclei form
Y: Thermal energy is produced
Z: A larger nucleus forms
X: Large amounts of energy are released
Y: One or more neutrons is released
Z: Smaller nuclei form
X: One or more neutrons is released
Y: A larger nucleus forms
Z: Large amounts of energy are released
X: A larger nucleus forms
Y: Large amounts of energy are released
Z: Smaller nuclei form

Answer 1

X: A larger nucleus forms
Y: Large amounts of energy are released
Z: Smaller nuclei form

Reason: Fusion joins small nuclei into a larger one; fission splits a large nucleus into smaller nuclei; both processes release large amounts of energy (thermal).