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What are the two processes by which nuclear energy is released? Briefly describe the processes.
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The two processes are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
- Nuclear fission: a heavy nucleus (e.g., U-235 or Pu-239) splits into two (or more) lighter nuclei plus neutrons and gamma rays. The products have a lower total mass (higher binding energy), and the mass difference is released as kinetic energy and radiation. Fission can produce a self-sustaining chain reaction and is used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.
- Nuclear fusion: two light nuclei (e.g., deuterium and tritium) combine to form a heavier nucleus (e.g., helium). The fused nucleus has a lower total mass than the separate reactants and the mass loss appears as energy. Fusion powers stars and hydrogen bombs and requires very high temperatures/pressures to overcome electrostatic repulsion between nuclei.
Both processes convert nuclear binding energy into usable energy according to E = mc^2.
- Nuclear fission: a heavy nucleus (e.g., U-235 or Pu-239) splits into two (or more) lighter nuclei plus neutrons and gamma rays. The products have a lower total mass (higher binding energy), and the mass difference is released as kinetic energy and radiation. Fission can produce a self-sustaining chain reaction and is used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.
- Nuclear fusion: two light nuclei (e.g., deuterium and tritium) combine to form a heavier nucleus (e.g., helium). The fused nucleus has a lower total mass than the separate reactants and the mass loss appears as energy. Fusion powers stars and hydrogen bombs and requires very high temperatures/pressures to overcome electrostatic repulsion between nuclei.
Both processes convert nuclear binding energy into usable energy according to E = mc^2.
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