Differences Between Nuclear Fusion And Fission

The concepts of nuclear fusion and fission have recently taken a great role on the future of energy acquirement. Nuclear energy seemingly is the way of the future as it is exceedingly more efficient than any means of energy that which we have now. In nuclear power plants, fission is used to generate the power required to develop steam which then powers turbines. Fusion on the other hand, is essentially the reaction that occurs in the sun. Essentially, "Hydrogen nuclei (such as deuterium and tritium – basically, hydrogen with extra neutrons) fuse to form helium, and the mass defect is released as energy."

To define nuclear fusion and fission more clearly, fusion is the process in which two or more nuclei combine which forms a newer, more stable element, with a higher atomic number. Nuclear fission, on the other hand, is the “splitting of a nucleus into smaller fragments, accompanied by the release of neutrons…” For example, uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are fissionable isotopes. In fusion reactions deuterium and tritium, hydrogen isotopes, are combined to form a helium nucleus. Although fusion is a very desirable process, the reaction is unpredictable. The necessity of obtaining and maintaining a high temperature whilst the reaction occurs is virtually impossible. Although the process a fusion bomb has been developed and deemed …show more content…
Fusion entails combining two smaller atoms to form a larger one whereas fission involves splitting a larger atom into two. However there are many other differences that further divide fusion and fission. For example, fission does not occur naturally in the environment whereas fusion does. In reference to the byproducts of the reactions, fission will produce an excessive amount of highly radioactive particles. In contrast, "few radioactive particles are produced by fusion reactions, but if a fission "trigger" is used radioactive particles will result from