Nuclear Fission vs. Fusion Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Fission involves heavy atoms, while fusion uses light atoms.

Fission uses protons, while fusion uses neutrons.

Fission combines atoms, while fusion breaks them apart.

Fission breaks apart atoms, while fusion combines them. (correct)

Isotopes have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons.

False

What two elements are produced when Uranium-235 is broken apart in nuclear fission?

krypton-92 and barium-141

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines the ______ of the element.

identity Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their correct definition:

Fission = Breaking apart of atoms Fusion = Combining of atoms Isotopes = Atoms with the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons Atomic Mass Number = Number of protons plus neutrons in an atom Signup and view all the answers

What particles are found in an atom?

Electrons, protons, and neutrons Signup and view all the answers

In nuclear fission, the mass of the resulting pieces is greater than the mass of the original atom.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the atomic mass number represent?

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What does the variable 'c' represent in the equation E = mc²?

Speed of light Signup and view all the answers

Nuclear fusion is generally easier to achieve than nuclear fission.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of combining low mass elements such as hydrogen and deuterium?

It releases energy and results in a product with less mass. Signup and view all the answers

Fission reactors provide useful energy by using _______ as the starting material.

uranium-235 Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Fission = Splitting of heavy atomic nuclei to release energy Fusion = Combining of light atomic nuclei to release energy Uranium-235 = Common isotope used in fission reactors Plutonium = Not easily found in nature, used in nuclear fission Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to achieve nuclear fusion?

Requires positive nuclei to attract each other Signup and view all the answers

Plutonium can be easily found in nature and is a common starting material for fission.

False Signup and view all the answers

In nuclear fission, what happens to uranium-236 after it absorbs a neutron?

It becomes unstable and breaks into smaller pieces, releasing energy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nuclear Fission vs. Fusion

Nuclear fission involves splitting heavy atoms (like uranium) to release energy.
Nuclear fusion involves combining light atoms (like hydrogen) to release energy.
Fission is relatively simpler to achieve than fusion.
Fusion requires extremely high temperatures and pressures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged nuclei.
Fission byproducts can be radioactive and chemically active, posing handling challenges.
Fusion products (like helium) are generally less radioactive and safer.
Fission reactors already exist and are producing energy.
Fusion reactors are not yet operational on a large, practical scale.

Nuclear Fusion Research

Recent announcements highlight progress in fusion reactor development.
Lockheed Martin announced plans for a truck-sized fusion reactor.
German physicists are close to completing another fusion reactor project.

Key Differences

Fission involves splitting atoms; fusion involves combining them.
Fission produces more mass than the original combined product (loss of mass is converted to energy). This is related to Einstein's famous equation E=mc².
Fusion reactor startup (General Fusion) focuses on the nuclear part. There is a big difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

Mass-Energy Relationship

A small difference in mass between reactants and products in a nuclear reaction results in a vast release of energy.
The missing mass is converted into usable energy (E=mc²).

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Description

Test your knowledge on the fundamental differences between nuclear fission and fusion. Explore the principles, processes, and current developments in fusion research. Learn about the implications of each method in energy production.