A nuclear reaction is a process in which the nucleus of an atom is altered,

resulting in the formation of a different nucleus. This can involve the release or
absorption of energy, and can occur naturally or as a result of human intervention.

There are two types of nuclear reactions: fission and fusion.

Fission is the process by which the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more
smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This process is
used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity, but it can also occur
naturally in radioactive materials.

Fusion, on the other hand, is the process by which two or more smaller nuclei are
combined to form a larger nucleus. This process releases an even larger amount of
energy than fission, and is the process that powers the sun and other stars.

Both fission and fusion reactions have the potential to be extremely powerful and
can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes. Understanding and controlling
nuclear reactions is an important area of research in fields such as energy
production, medicine, and national security.