1. Fission and Fusion

2. Nuclear Fission Splitting of atomic nuclei Balance of two forces:
Strong nuclear force - holds nucleus together
Repulsive electric force - repulsion between like charges
When electric force is stronger than the nuclear force due to deformation of nucleus fission occurs

3. Nuclear Fission

4. Nuclear Chain Reaction
Each fission collision results in the formation of neutrons. These can then set off a nuclear chain reaction colliding with additional nuclei

5. Nuclear Chain Reaction
The chain reaction continues until the sample is below the critical mass
Critical Mass: the minimum mass needed for a sustainable chain reaction

6. Mass-Energy Relationship
During nuclear fission there is a decrease in the mass of the nucleons
This mass is converted into energy
E=mc2
E: Energy, M: mass, c: speed of light
Mass and Energy Simulation

7. Nuclear Fusion The combining of two small nuclei
The resulting nucleus has less mass than the sum of the initial nuclei
This loss of mass is also converted into energy
Requires very high speeds provided by extremely high temperatures (millions of degrees)

8. Nuclear Fusion