6/2/23

Sami Uyanik
Fusion V Fision Extra Credit

Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are two processes that involve the release of nuclear
energy. Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a large atom into two smaller atoms. It
releases about one million times the amount of energy than chemical reactions like
burning gasoline. The loss of mass during fission is relatively small, but it converts into a
large quantity of energy. Nuclear fission reactions have been used in both military
weapons, such as atomic bombs, and for generating electricity in nuclear power plants.
Nuclear fusion involves combining small nuclei to form a larger nucleus. It is the process
that powers the Sun and other stars. Fusion reactions release even more energy
compared to fission, around three to ten times more per gram. However, scientists have
yet to use controlled fusion reactions for electricity production. Sustaining the high
temperatures required for fusion and containing the reactants and fused nuclei are
significant challenges.