CBSE Class 10 Answered
Nuclear Fission |
Nuclear Fusion |
|
Definition: |
Fission is the splitting of a large atom into two or more smaller ones. |
Fusion is the fusing of two or more lighter atoms into a larger one. |
Natural occurrence of the process: |
Fission reaction does not normally occur in nature. |
Fusion occurs in stars, such as the sun. |
Byproducts of the reaction: |
Fission produces many highly radioactive particles. |
Few radioactive particles are produced by fusion reaction, but if a fission "trigger" is used, radioactive particles will result from that. |
Conditions: |
Critical mass of the substance and high-speed neutrons are required. |
High density, high temperature environment is required. |
Energy Requirement: |
Takes little energy to split two atoms in a fission reaction. |
Extremely high energy is required to bring two or more protons close enough that nuclear forces overcome their electrostatic repulsion. |
Energy Released: |
The energy released by fission is a million times greater than that released in chemical reactions; but lower than the energy released by nuclear fusion. |
The energy released by fusion is three to four times greater than the energy released by fission. |