Question

Difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion for class 10

Answer 1

Nuclear fission:

1) Fission is the splitting of a large atom into two or more smaller ones.
2) Fission produces many highly radioactive particles.
3) Fission reaction does not normally occur in nature.
4) Critical mass of the substance and high-speed neutrons are required.
5) Takes little energy to split two atoms in a fission reaction.
6) The energy released by fission is a million times greater than that released in chemical reactions, but lower than the energy released by nuclear fusion.

Nuclear fusion:

1) Fusion is the fusing of two or more lighter atoms into a larger one.
2) Few radioactive particles are produced by fusion reaction, but if a fission "trigger" is used, radioactive particles will result from that.
3) Fusion occurs in stars, such as the sun.
4)High density, high temperature environment is required.
5) Extremely high energy is required to bring two or more protons close enough that nuclear forces overcome their electrostatic repulsion.
6) The energy released by fusion is three to four times greater than the energy released by fission

Answer 2

Nuclear Fusion

1. Confined to lighter nuclei


2. It is not a chain reaction


3. It requires extremely high temperatures


4.Energy is released is much more than that of fission reaction.


5. It cannot be controlled

Example: Hydrogen bomb


Nuclear Fission

1. Confined to heavy nuclei


2. It is a chain reaction


3. It does not require high temperature


4. Large amount of energy is released


5.It can be controlled