Nuclear Reactions:

FISSION & FUSION

 Introduction

Nuclear reactions deal with interactions

between the nuclei of atoms
Both fission and fusion processes deal with
matter and energy
 Matter and Energy

Previous studies have taught us that matter

and energy cannot be created nor destroyed
We now need to understand that Matter and
Energy are two forms of the same thing
 E = mc2

Remember that matter can be changed into

Energy
This tells us that a small amount of mass can be
converted into a very large amount of energy
because the speed of light (c) is an extremely
large number

Light
Energy Mass
Speed
 Fission

Fission may be defined as the process of

splitting an atomic nucleus into fission
fragments
The fission fragments are generally in the form
of smaller atomic nuclei and neutrons
Large amounts of energy are produced by the
fission process
 Fission

Fissile nuclei are generally atoms with more

neutrons than protons
The nuclei of such heavy atoms are struck by
neutrons initiating the fission process
Fission occurs when the strong nuclear force is
disrupted by an incoming projectile (in this
case a neutron)
When the strong nuclear force is disrupted
electrostatic repulsion splits the nuclei
 Fission

A classic example of a fission reaction is that of

U-235:
U-235 + 1 Neutron
3 Neutrons + Kr-91 + Ba-142 + Energy
In this example, a stray neutron strikes an atom of U-235.
It absorbs the neutron and becomes an unstable atom of
U-236. It then undergoes fission. Notice that more
neutrons are released in the reaction. These neutrons
can strike other U-235 atoms to initiate their fission.
Nuclear Chain Reaction
 Fission

Fission produces large amounts of heat energy

and it is this heat that is captured by nuclear
power plants to produce electricity.
 Fusion

Fusion is a nuclear reaction whereby two light

atomic nuclei fuse or combine to form a single
larger nuclei which is lighter than the sum of the
two that fuse.
The lost mass is converted to energy. (E = mc2 )
For fusion to occur, a large amount of energy is
needed to overcome the electrical charges of
the nuclei and fuse them together
Fusion
 Fusion

Fusion reactions do not occur naturally on our

planet but are the principal type of reaction
found in stars
The large masses, densities, and high
temperatures of stars provide the initial
energies needed to fuel fusion reactions
The sun fuses hydrogen atoms to produce
helium, subatomic particles, and vast amounts
of energy
 Energy Comparison
Because of the large binding energies involved
in a nucleus, both fission and fusion involve
energy changes of more than a million times
larger than those energy changes associated
with chemical reactions.
 Review

Mass and Energy are two forms of the same

thing; neither can be created nor destroyed but
mass can be converted into energy (E = mc2)
Fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavy
atomic nucleus is split into lighter atomic nuclei
Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which 2 light
atomic nuclei are combined into a single,
heavier atomic nucleus
 Quiz

Which nuclear process produces large

amounts of energy?
A. Fission
B. Fusion
C. Both fission & fusion
D. Neither fission nor fusion
 Quiz

Fission is the process that _________ atomic

nuclei.
A. Combines
B. Burns up
C. Stores
D. Splits
 Quiz

Mass may be converted into energy.

A. True
B. False
 Quiz

The fission process requires heavy

atomic nuclei.
A. True
B. False
 Quiz

Name a nuclear reaction that occurs

within the sun:
 Quiz

Fission is a natural process that occurs

on the planet Earth.
A. True
B. False
 Quiz

Explain this equation:

E = mc2