Radioactivity

Nuclear Fission and Fusion

• Definition: breaking an unstable nucleus into two smaller nuclei

• Basic formulaElement + Neutron → + 3 neutronsSmaller

Element+ energySmaller

Element+

SAME ChangeChange SAME SAMEChange

• Sample Equation:

• Nuclear fission starts a chain reaction because of the extra neutrons that it emits.

• This is the type of reaction used to fuel nuclear power plants

• Definition: two separate nuclei are fused together to make a larger nucleus.

• Basic Formula:

Larger element

→ + energySmaller Element

Smaller Element

+

• Sample Equation: this is the nuclear reaction that is occurring on the sun and other stars to produce the solar energy that we use on the earth

• The massive amount of energy that is released in a hydrogen bomb is the result of the above fusion reaction.