1. Nuclear Reactions Fission and Fusion

2. FISSION The splitting of an atomic nucleus into 2 smaller particles. Animation

3. All nuclei with 83 or more protons are unstable.

4. FISSION

6. During fission tremendous amounts of ENERGY are produced from very small amounts of MASS.

7. Chain Reaction Neutrons released during the splitting of the first nucleus trigger many more nuclear fissions.

9. Critical Mass The SMALLEST possible mass of fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction.

10. Controlled reactions Occur in nuclear power plants Animation

11. Uncontrolled reactions Occur in atomic bombs Animation

12. FUSION The process of COMBINING two smaller nuclei into ONE larger nucleus.

14. FUSION

15. This process losses even more mass than FISSION, and therefore releases more ENERGY.

16. At the present time, this means that very high temperatures are required for fusion to occur. Animation

18. SIMILARITIES between fission and fusion Both are nuclear reactions (involve the nuclei of atoms) Both convert a very small amount of mass into an extremely large amount of ENERGY.

19. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FISSION AND FUSION

20. FISSION Involves splitting atoms (One becomes two) Is currently possible

21. FUSION Involves fusing atoms (joining two and making one) Requires extremely high temperatures Not currently possible