What Does Pure Energy Mean in Fusion and Fission?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "pure energy" in the context of nuclear fusion and fission. Participants explore the meaning of this term, its implications, and the forms of energy produced during these processes. The conversation includes theoretical considerations and definitions related to energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what is meant by "pure energy" and suggests it might refer to the kinetic energy of new nuclear particles.
  • Another participant humorously speculates that "pure energy" could relate to dark energy, while also noting that lost mass in fusion and fission contributes to massive particles and electromagnetic radiation (photons).
  • A participant asserts that "pure energy" may refer to non-rest-mass energy.
  • Several participants provide dictionary definitions of energy, prompting thoughts about the various forms energy can take.
  • One participant explains that during fission, the mass lost is converted into kinetic energy of daughter products and gamma radiation, questioning the notion of "pure energy" given the multiple forms it takes.
  • Another participant argues that "pure energy" lacks a clear definition and suggests it may be a term used to make energy seem more intriguing or mystical.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the meaning and validity of the term "pure energy." There is no consensus on its definition or implications, and multiple competing perspectives remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference definitions of energy from dictionaries, which may not align with scientific terminology. The discussion also touches on the complexity of energy forms in nuclear reactions without resolving the nuances involved.

KristianBF
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Hi. I'm new around here, and from Norway so please excuse my english/any other mistake I make.

I have read several articles concerning fusion/fission, and they all say that the "lost mass" is turned into "pure energy". What is meant by pure energy? Is it the new nuclear particles increased kinetic energy they refer to?
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi KristianBF! Welcome to PF! :wink:
KristianBF said:
What is meant by pure energy?

I've no idea! :biggrin:

Maybe the so-called dark energy the cosmologists are looking for is "pure energy"? :rolleyes:

The "lost mass" in fusion and fission either goes to make massive particles, or goes to make electronmagnetic radiation, which is another name for (zero-rest-mass) photons.

Maybe the books mean photons? :confused:

(Or maybe the books mean that the "pure energy" exists for a short time as a sort-of intermediate stage?)
 
Ok, thanks for the answer! :)
 
I believe "pure energy" refers to non-rest-mass energy.
 
it is interesting and i also want to know its meaning. My dictionary says energy is "the capacity for a physical system to do work", "its units are joule or erg" and "energy can take a wide variety of forms" (from wordnet dict). hmmm.. seems to direct to a thought of what forms can energy takes?
 
luben said:
it is interesting and i also want to know its meaning. My dictionary says energy is "the capacity for a physical system to do work", "its units are joule or erg" and "energy can take a wide variety of forms" (from wordnet dict). hmmm.. seems to direct to a thought of what forms can energy takes?

You should check a physics dictionary if you want a proper definition (I believe yours isn't - I apologize if I'm wrong)
 
dalcde said:
You should check a physics dictionary if you want a proper definition (I believe yours isn't - I apologize if I'm wrong)

Wikipedia is also a great source, as long as you are not looking for controversial topics :rolleyes:
 
Sourabh N said:
Wikipedia is also a great source, as long as you are not looking for controversial topics :rolleyes:

And as long as you aren't writing a paper.
 
If you look at in on an atomic level when a U236 atom (that is a U235 atom with an added neutron) splits there will be two daughter products and several neutrons whose rest mass total less than that of the U235 and the neutron before the fission occurred, I don't think anyone has ever managed to weight a U236 atom. So obviously there is a loss of mass. That mass is changed into energy by the formula E = mc^2 where m is the mass lost and c is the speed of light. So the question is what form of energy does it turn into? And the answer is two forms. First the daughter products split off a very high rate of speed. So part of the answer is kinetic energy. The rest is released as a gamma ray. Or light energy.

I may be wrong, but I do not think there are any neutrinos emitted in a fission reaction. It is a bit inane for someone to claim that something is "pure energy" when there are two different forms that energy takes.
 
  • #10
There is no such thing as "Pure Energy" unless you want to make up a definition for it. It is usually talked about because most people don't understand what energy is and it makes it seem "mystical" and more interesting. It's like calling work "Pure Work".
 

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