What Are the Key Differences Between Nuclear Fission and Fusion Energy?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Nuclear fission and fusion are two distinct processes that release energy through different mechanisms. In nuclear fusion, two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, resulting in a loss of mass and the release of energy, primarily in the form of gamma rays. Conversely, nuclear fission involves the splitting of heavy nuclei, where the average binding energy per nucleon increases, leading to an overall loss of mass and the release of energy. Both processes yield energy when the resulting nucleus is closer to iron-56 (Fe-56), which has the lowest mass per nucleon.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear physics concepts, specifically binding energy.
  • Familiarity with the principles of mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²).
  • Knowledge of nuclear reactions, including fusion and fission processes.
  • Basic comprehension of isotopes and their stability.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of nuclear fusion in stars and its implications for energy production.
  • Explore the mechanisms of nuclear fission in reactors, focusing on uranium-235 and plutonium-239.
  • Study the concept of binding energy and its role in nuclear stability and energy release.
  • Investigate the applications and challenges of harnessing fusion energy for practical use.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in nuclear physics, energy researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the fundamental differences between nuclear fission and fusion energy processes.

Hypochondriac
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
in nuclear fusion, 2 nuclei join to make one correct,
therefore there is a loss of mass and energy, that energy escapes as gamma rays etc.

but in nuclear fission, as the binding energy increases surely energy must have to come from somewhere, but apparently energy is given out?

also my revision guide says (for fission) "the average binding energy per nucleon increases so there is an overall loss in mass"
this confuses me because energy is proportional to mass, so if energy increases so does mass, not the opposite.

plus id expect fission to be the opposite of fusion but it seems they both give out energy...what am i missing/what don't i understand about this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The nucleus with the smallest mass per nucleon is Fe56 (I may be off slightly). Therefore when light elements fuse, there is excess energy. Similarly when heavy elements fiss, there is excess energy.
 
ok so aslong as the resulting nucleus/nuclei are further towards iron then energy is given out

cheers
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Questions about the energy released by nuclear fission
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Analysis of Fusion & Fission by Binding Energy
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Undergrad Some confusion with the Binding Energy graph of atoms
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
High School Energy conservation in nuclear fission
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School How energy is released during nuclear fission?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Binding energy, fusion and fission
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
High School Amount of Plasma [g] in nuclear fusion designs
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Can Neutron-X Fusion Reactions Overcome the Repulsion Problem in Fusion Energy?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
High School Binding Energy per Nucleon trend for fusion vs fission
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
Undergrad What kind of energy is released in a nuclear fusion reaction?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K