NUclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is the reaction nuclei of two light nuclides are fused together to form a single heavies nucleus with the release of energy.

learn more here:

http://www.visionlearning.com/library/flash_viewer.php?oid=2747


Advantages of using nuclear fusion as a power source are;
i) Hydrogen isotopes used as fuel are cheap and easily available.
ii) Products of nuclear fusion are not radioactive and do not cause pollution.

http://www.astro.ubc.ca/~scharein/a311/Sim/fusion/Fusion.html

two suitable conditions in the sun that allows nuclear fusion to take place are:
i) high temperature, and
ii) high particle density.

Nuclear Fission

1. What is atomic mass unit (a.m.u)?


The symbol for the atomic mass unit is u.

1 u is defined as 1/12 x ( mass of the carbon-12 atom)

1 u = 1,66 x 10 ^-27 kg.

2. Describe nuclear fission.



A nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits into split into two or more lighter nuclei which the release of energy.

The nucleon number and proton number must be balanced in the nuclear equation.

3. Describe chain reactions.



A chain reaction is a process in which at least one neutron produced in a fission induces a second fission.
A neutron produced in the second fission induces a third fission, and the process is repeated.