Nuclear Fission ReactionsNuclear Fission Reactions• Purposely split a nucleus into two or more

nuclei with smaller masses.

• Tremendous amounts of energy released.

[http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/602/616516/Media_Assets/Chapter22/Text_Images/FG22_08.JPG]

n 310 n U

10

23592 Ba Kr

14256

9136

9167 Wh 583,333,333 Wh

Combustion Nuclear

# of Hours you could play XBOX 360

57.3 hours3,645,833

hours

Nuclear Fission ReactionsNuclear Fission Reactions

• The neutrons released can cause a chain reaction with other atoms that are near them.

Click here for a chain reaction demo

[http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch23/graphics/23_19fig.gif]

Nuclear Fission ReactionsNuclear Fission Reactions

• In order for a chain reaction to continue, a certain amount of material, known as critical mass, is needed.

Click here for a simulation

Nuclear Fusion ReactionsNuclear Fusion Reactions

• Two nuclei of low mass are combined to form a nucleus of larger mass.

[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/sun/Solar_interior/Nuclear_Reactions/Fusion/dt_fusion.gif]

HH 21

31 nHe 1

042

Intermediate

94,444,444,444 Wh583,333,333 Wh

Combustion Nuclear

# of Hours you could play XBOX 360

3,645,833 hours

590,277,778 hours

Nuclear Fusion ReactionsNuclear Fusion Reactions

• Only occur when atoms can get close to one another at extremely high temperatures (ex: Stars).

[http://www.scienceinschool.org/repository/images/issue5fusion2_large.jpg]