In your own words, define and compare fission and fusion (be specific). Provide a balanced, nuclear equation for each.
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Fission and fusion are two different types of nuclear reactions that release energy due to the changes in the nuclear structure of atoms.
Fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of a large amount of energy. This process is usually induced by the absorption of a neutron by the nucleus. The fission process is used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. An example of a fission reaction is the splitting of Uranium-235:
^235U + ^1n → ^141Ba + ^92Kr + 3^1n + energy
In this equation, Uranium-235 (U-235) absorbs a neutron (n) and splits into Barium-141 (Ba-141), Krypton-92 (Kr-92), and three additional neutrons, releasing a large amount of energy.
Fusion, on the other hand, is a nuclear reaction in which two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, with the release of a large amount of energy. This process occurs naturally in stars, including the sun. Fusion reactions require very high temperatures and pressures. An example of a fusion reaction is the combining of two hydrogen isotopes, Deuterium and Tritium:
^2H + ^3H → ^4He + ^1n + energy
In this equation, Deuterium (H-2) and Tritium (H-3) combine to form Helium-4 (He-4) and a neutron, releasing a large amount of energy.
In summary, fission involves the splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller ones, while fusion involves the combining of light nuclei into a heavier one. Both processes release a large amount of energy, but the conditions required for these reactions to occur are quite different.
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