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If in fission the splitting of a large atomic nucleus results in a release of energy why does fusion the combining of atomic nuclei to form a larger nucleus also release energy?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
It is to do with the shape of the curve of nucleus binding energy vs mass number. This is a maximum for iron/nickel, and falls off for mass numbers both above and below this number. What this means is that when a large nucleus splits into fragments, orwhen light nuclei combine by fusion, the resulting nuclei have moved nearer to the binding energy maximum. There is therefore a mass deficit, which appears as released energy by E = mc2. Read more in the link below.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What is called splitting the nucleus of an atom to release energy?
Nuclear fission
How does nuclear fission differ from nuclear fusion?
Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a nucleus with a large mass into two nuclei with smaller masses. The energy released can then be used to produce electricity. Nuclear fusion is the process of merging nuclei with smaller masses into a nucleus with a larger mass. The energy released by this reaction may someday be used to produce electricity. In other words, Nuclear Fusion is the exact opposite of Nuclear fission. While Nuclear Fission is splitting a nucleus into two nuclei, nuclear fusion is merging two nuclei into a nucleus.
Distinguish between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Fission is the splitting of the nucleus of a large heavy atom such as uranium into two smaller parts. Fusion is the sticking together of two light nuclei to make a heavier one, as occurs in the stars. Both processes release energy.
What is nuclear fission and fusion?
Nuclear fusion is the joining up of two smaller nuclei into one larger, in our sun it is the fusion of hydrogen which produces helium, and releases energy. Nuclear fission is the splitting of the nucleus of uranium which releases energy, as in a nuclear reactor.
How are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are the same?
They are similar only in that they are nuclear reactions. In nuclear fission involves the splitting of an atomic nucleus, whereas nuclear fusion involves the joining together of atomic nuclei.
What is called splitting the nucleus of an atom to release energy?
Nuclear fission
What is the splitting of a nucleus with the release of nuclear energy into two fragments of approximately equal size called?
Fission
How does nuclear fission differ from nuclear fusion?
Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a nucleus with a large mass into two nuclei with smaller masses. The energy released can then be used to produce electricity. Nuclear fusion is the process of merging nuclei with smaller masses into a nucleus with a larger mass. The energy released by this reaction may someday be used to produce electricity. In other words, Nuclear Fusion is the exact opposite of Nuclear fission. While Nuclear Fission is splitting a nucleus into two nuclei, nuclear fusion is merging two nuclei into a nucleus.
Distinguish between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Fission is the splitting of the nucleus of a large heavy atom such as uranium into two smaller parts. Fusion is the sticking together of two light nuclei to make a heavier one, as occurs in the stars. Both processes release energy.
How is heat generated inside a nuclear reactor?
Heat is generated inside a nuclear reactor by the release of binding energy (Strong Atomic Force) by the process of fission (splitting one atom into two) or fusion (combining two atoms into one).
What is nucleus fission?
Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. This fission event can occur spontaneously, or can be the result of something like a neutron capture event. A number of heavy elements are known to spontaneously break apart (fission). And other nuclei like, say, uranium 235 can capture a neutron which destabilizes the nucleus and induces nuclear fission to occur.
What is Atom Bom?
weapon with great explosive power that results from the sudden release of energy upon the splitting, or fission, of the nuclei of such heavy elements as plutonium or uranium. When a neutron strikes the nucleus of an atom of the isotopes uranium 235 or plutonium-239, it causes that nucleus to split into two fragments, each of which is a nucleus with about half the protons and neutrons of the original nucleus. In the process of splitting, a great amount of thermal energy, as well as gamma rays and two or more neutrons, is released..
What is nucear energy?
I guess you mean "nuclear energy". That's a collective term for nuclear fusion (combining light atoms into heavier atoms), and nuclear fission (splitting heavy atoms). Both processes can release large amounts of energy, in some cases.
What is the processes of fission?
Energy is released when the the mass of the nucleus of an atom is reduced by the release of neutrons and gamma photons during the process of nuclear fission.
What is nuclear fission and fusion?
Nuclear fusion is the joining up of two smaller nuclei into one larger, in our sun it is the fusion of hydrogen which produces helium, and releases energy. Nuclear fission is the splitting of the nucleus of uranium which releases energy, as in a nuclear reactor.
How are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are the same?
They are similar only in that they are nuclear reactions. In nuclear fission involves the splitting of an atomic nucleus, whereas nuclear fusion involves the joining together of atomic nuclei.
What is the process of splitting of a heavier nucleus into lighter with the release of energy called?
Fission is the word you are looking for, but the less massive nuclei of the daughter atoms are usually far less stable than the nucleus of the parent, which is why nuclear waste from plant that uses uranium as fuel is extremely dangerous but nuclear fuel for the plant is not.
