NUCLEAR FISSION & FUSION

NUCLEAR FISSION Splitting of a nucleus

into smaller fragments

Happens when they are bombarded with neutrons

Releases ENORMOUS amts of energy!

Only U-235 & Pu-239 do this!

NUCLEAR FISSION ENERGY 1 kg of U-235 can

release the same energy as 20,000 tons of dynamite exploding

Atomic Bombs start an uncontrolled nuclear chain rxn!

NUCLEAR REACTORS Make useful energy by

controlling fission

Major form of energy is heat Water or coolant must be

used to cool the reactor

Heat generates steam, which drives a turbine…that creates electricity

NUCLEAR WASTE Fuel rods with

radioactive isotopes that no longer give enough energy

Placed in “swimming pools” that keep them cool & acts as a radiation shield

NUCLEAR FUSION Happens when

nuclei combine to produce a nucleus with a greater mass

Smaller nuclei fusion creates more energy than fission reactions

Solar energy is the result of nuclear fusion