Why do atoms undergo fission/fusion instead of emitting radiation?

AI Thread Summary
Atoms undergo fission and fusion as processes to achieve stability, but these mechanisms differ significantly from radiation emission. Fission occurs in heavy elements under specific conditions, while fusion involves the high-speed collision of light nuclei. Radiation emission, including alpha, beta, and gamma decay, is a separate process that also leads to stability but is not the same as fission or fusion. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping nuclear physics concepts. For deeper insights, reviewing the suggested Wikipedia articles is recommended.
Klupa
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Why does fission/fusion occur instead of alpha/beta/gamma radiation?
 
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Sorry if it is a bit confusing but my teacher taught us how atoms emit alpha/beta/gamma radiation in order to become stable. In the next lesson he taught us how atoms undergo fission or fusion to become stable. I was just wondering what makes atoms fission/fusion to become stable rather than emit radiation?
 
Fission and fusion are two completely different processes.
Fission is an alternative to the decays you mentioned, but only occurs only in certain circumstances involving heavy elements.
Fusion is the result of two light (usually) nuclei undergoing high speed collision. It is not a decay process.
 
Klupa said:
Sorry if it is a bit confusing but my teacher taught us how atoms emit alpha/beta/gamma radiation in order to become stable. In the next lesson he taught us how atoms undergo fission or fusion to become stable. I was just wondering what makes atoms fission/fusion to become stable rather than emit radiation?
Did you read the links that were suggested as good resources for your learning by @anorlunda they should help you a lot. :smile:
 

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