fission
This process occurs when a neutron slams into a large atom, causing it to split into two smaller atoms.
What is fission?
Fusion occurs when two atoms combine to form a heavier atom, such as when two of these fuse to form helium.
What is hydrogen?
This nuclear reaction produces millions of times more energy than chemical reactions, like burning coal.
What is fusion or fission?
The atoms commonly used for fission in nuclear power reactors are uranium and this other element, which is similar in properties.
What is plutonium?
This element is created in fusion reactions when two hydrogen atoms combine.
What is helium?
This process, commonly used in nuclear power plants, involves splitting large atoms like uranium or plutonium.
What is fission?
Fission releases energy, which is used to heat water into this, which then spins a turbine to generate electricity.
What is steam?
Fusion is the process that powers this celestial body, which creates enormous amounts of energy.
What is the Sun?
This nuclear reaction powers stars, including the Sun, and is responsible for their vast energy output.
What is fusion?
The energy released from a fission reaction is often used to produce this form of energy.
What is electricity?
This is one of the main challenges in sustaining fusion reactions on Earth due to the extreme conditions needed for the process.
What is temperature and pressure?
This nuclear process involves two atoms merging, while the other involves splitting one atom into two.
What is fusion (merging) and fission (splitting)?
Fission reactions are controlled in nuclear reactors to prevent this type of runaway reaction.
What is a chain reaction?
Unlike fission, fusion does not produce these types of radioactive materials.
What are fission products?
One of these processes is relatively easier to control and initiate in power plants, while the other, though more powerful, is extremely difficult to sustain on Earth.
What is fission (easier to control) and fusion (harder to sustain)?