Why is fusion stronger than fission?

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Fusion and fission both release energy through the rearrangement of protons and neutrons, but the amount of energy produced can vary significantly depending on the specific reactions involved. While fission of uranium-235 releases about 200 MeV per reaction, fusion of deuterium and tritium yields approximately 17.6 MeV per reaction. However, when considering energy per unit mass, fusion can be more efficient, as it releases about 3.52 MeV per atomic mass unit compared to fission's 0.85 MeV per atomic mass unit. The energy output is ultimately determined by the difference in binding energy between reactants and products in each reaction. Thus, the comparison between fusion and fission is complex and reaction-specific, with neither inherently superior in energy release.
  • #31
Morbius or Greg thank you for your clarification. I am just a student from college but I am very curious of things, which has led me to read and learn things way ahead of the current classes I am taking. This Message is just to answer: No! It is not too hard to understand that the amount of energy released is directly dependent on the particular reaction applied and not whether is fusion or fission. If I stated this incorrectly please let me know. Many of the posts here were confusing and contradicting and I found yours very useful and I admire your knowledge and passion. I am looking forward to learn more from this forum, again I am just a student so I will not contribute much, instead will absorb as much as I can.
 
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  • #32
Nomadic Mind said:
Morbius or Greg thank you for your clarification. I am just a student from college but I am very curious of things, which has led me to read and learn things way ahead of the current classes I am taking. This Message is just to answer: No! It is not too hard to understand that the amount of energy released is directly dependent on the particular reaction applied and not whether is fusion or fission. If I stated this incorrectly please let me know. Many of the posts here were confusing and contradicting and I found yours very useful and I admire your knowledge and passion. I am looking forward to learn more from this forum, again I am just a student so I will not contribute much, instead will absorb as much as I can.

Of course! The energy released depends entirely on fuel used and the particular reaction that happens. The energy released from each type varies drastically with different fuels.
 

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