fusion and fission

• what does the word fission mean


  splitting apart - this is how nuclear weapons work, it is also how we generate electricity in nuclear power plants

  
• what does the word fusion mean


  fusion means 'joining together'

  
• where does nuclear fusion happen

  nuclear fusion is how stars like our sun produce energy

  
• in nuclear fusion what 2 things are fusing

  hydrogen atoms fuse together to produce helium atoms.
• What types of energy does the sun produce?

  light and heat

  
• What is another term for 'heat energy'?

  Thermal energy

  
• In nuclear fission what causes the atom to split?

  The atom is hit by a neutron. It splits in two and releases another neutron.

  
• in nuclear fission atoms keep on splitting producing more energy - what is the name given to this type of reaction

  a chain reaction

  
• what is the fuel used in nuclear fission

  uranium or plutonium - these are radioactive metals.

  
• Why is it important not to let the temperature get too high during nuclear fission?

  There will be an explosion.

  
• what conditions are needed for nuclear fusion to happen

  high temperature and high pressure

  
• how could you stop nuclear fusion

  by cooling down the temperature or reducing the pressure