Nuclear Fusion Vs Nuclear Fission

There are two main kinds of nuclear reactions, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. A nuclear reaction is when an element undergoes a change and becomes a new element. Nuclear fusion occurs when two elements “combine” and a new element is created. An equation for nuclear fusion would look like, 21H + 31H → 42He + 10n. (Nuclear Chemistry) The two Hydrogen atoms “combine” to become Helium, a new element. Nuclear Fission occurs when an large unstable element splits into smaller elements. An equation would look like, 23592U + 10n → 13956Ba + 9436Kr + 3 10n. (Nuclear Chemistry) The unstable element split into two new elements. Ultimately the way to tell one reaction from another is their equations, nuclear fusion has two element reactants and one …show more content…
A supernova takes place when, first, nuclear fusion stops, then the layers of the sun fall inward towards the iron core at light speed and finally bounce off the core and explode. (Stellar Death) During nuclear fission chain reactions take place. “A chain reaction refers to a process in which neutrons released in fission produce an additional fission in at least one further nucleus. This nucleus in turn produces neutrons, and the process repeats.” (Nuclear Chain Reactions) The two “types” of chain reactions, one is the controlled type, nuclear power, and the second is the uncontrolled chain reaction, nuclear weapons. The reaction can only continue if the additional fission keeps occuring, if not there would be no chain reaction. The uncontrolled reaction is not safe, which is why we use it as a weapon however nuclear power is safe. Nuclear power is safe because there is so much security surrounding it. No unauthorized workers can get near the reactors, so it is unlikely of terrorist threat. Also, the conditions in which the reactions are done under are controlled, the reactions themselves are controlled so that there is never too much energy at