Nuclear fission and fusion

• What is nuclear fission?

  The splitting of a large nucleus

  
• What happens during nuclear fission?

  A large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei

  
• Which isotopes are commonly used in nuclear fission?

  Uranium and plutonium
• What occurs when a neutron collides with an unstable nucleus during fission?

  The nucleus splits and emits neutrons

  
• What are daughter nuclei?

  Smaller nuclei produced from fission

  
• What type of energy is transferred during fission?

  Nuclear potential energy to kinetic energy
• What is spontaneous fission?

  Fission without additional energy input
• Why is spontaneous fission rare?

  It requires no additional energy input
• What is induced fission?

  Fission initiated by neutron absorption
• What is the half-life of uranium-235?

  700 million years
• Why is uranium-235 unsuitable for immediate energy production?

  It releases energy very slowly
• What happens when uranium-235 absorbs a neutron?

  It becomes uranium-236 and is unstable

  
• What is a chain reaction in nuclear fission?

  A series of fission reactions initiated by neutrons
• How many neutrons are produced in a fission reaction?

  Two or three neutrons

  
• What is the role of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

  To absorb neutrons and control reactions
• What can happen in an uncontrolled chain reaction?

  It can lead to dangerous energy release
• What is the purpose of diagrams in nuclear fission?

  To illustrate the fission process clearly

  
• What is nuclear fusion?

  Joining two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus

  
• Where does nuclear fusion occur naturally?

  In the centers of stars
• What is the energy source in nuclear fusion?

  Mass converted into energy
• What is Einstein's equation for mass-energy equivalence?

  E = m × c
• How much energy does 1 kg of hydrogen produce in fusion?

  Equivalent to burning 10 million kg of coal
• Why is hydrogen fusion not currently possible on Earth?

  It requires extremely high temperatures
• What force must be overcome for hydrogen nuclei to fuse?

  The repulsive force between positive charges
• What is the product of hydrogen fusion?

  Helium

  
• Why is helium considered an inert gas?

  It does not readily react with other elements
• How does the energy produced in fusion compare to fission?

  Fusion produces much more energy than fission