Why is energy released when the nuclear reactions take place?

Answer 1

In general, energy is released when nuclear reactions take place because atomic nuclei are moving into lower energy states. To move to a lower energy state, energy must be released, as you might have guessed. And many nuclear fission and fusion reactions accomplish this. Note that there are some nuclear reactions that do not release energy, but actually require it. One example is the fusion of lighter elements into the heavy elements beyond iron. When stars, which are giant nuclear fusion engines, are young, the energy that is released in the fusion processes promotes continued fusion. But at some point, they run out of fuel. Nuclear fusion that creates trans-iron elements requires that energy be put into the reaction, and that's where supernova event has value. All elements heavier than iron are created in a supernova.

Answer 2

In the sun the reaction taking place is nuclear fusion, in which nuclei of hydrogen (one proton) are joining to make helium (which has two protons and two neutrons). This process releases energy because of the internal energy levels of the nuclei involved. The energy comes about basically because of change in mass, and energy = mass x c2. It is hoped that fusion will at some time be available on earth as a controlled process to produce energy.

Answer 3

In a nuclear plant, uranium atoms are collided with neutrons, splitting the atom into different parts. Barium and krypton atoms, three neutrons, and energy. Some of the mass is lost during the reaction, and that mass turns into energy. E=MC2 means energy equals mass x the speed of light squared, so the tiny amount of mass lost in nuclear fission is multiplied by the speed of light squared (an impossibly large number). So that is how energy is produced in a nuclear plant

Answer 4

Nuclear reactions come in two types: fusion of light nuclei, and fission of heavy nuclei. When lighter nuclei are combined, their mass is reduced, and that leftover mass has to change into energy, because it can't be destroyed. For heavier nuclei, these atoms are unstable, and breaking them down releases the energy, because they want to decay.

Answer 5

The energy released in nuclear fission and fusion reactions is binding energy, the Strong Atomic Force, that holds nuclei together. The end product of these reactions has less binding energy than it started with, and this loss of binding energy is released, usually in the form of heat.

Answer 6

We get energy from nuclear power plants off steam which is created with massive amounts of heat. This heat comes from uranium pellets. These uranium pellets have a high proton and neutron Atomic Mass. All we have to do is inject one proton or neutron onto the atom and it not only rejects it but also all its protons neutron and electrons. then the first atom's protons touch another atom this keep the cycle going. all this moving of particles make a lot of heat and this make steam to power turbines and get us energy.

Answer 7

Nuclear reaction involves fusion and fission. Large amount of heat is released.

Answer 8

Because the nuclear bonds in the atomic nucleus are extremely strong.

Answer 9

This is related to the strong forces between nucleons. The strong forces result in a lot of related potential energy.