FUSION AND FISSION

THE SUN
Every second, the sun converts
500 million metric tons of
hydrogen to helium. Due to the
process of fusion, 5 million metric
tons of excess material is
converted into energy in each
second. This means that every
year, 157,680,000,000,000 metric
tons are converted into energy.
 Nuclear Fusion
• Nuclear fusion is the process by
which multiple nuclei join together to
form a heavier nucleus.
• It is accompanied by the release or
absorption of energy depending on
the masses of the nuclei involved..
 FUSION
DEUTERIUM NEUTRON

HELIUM

TRITIUM

http://fusioned.gat.com
 Nuclear Fusion
• Iron and nickel nuclei have the largest
binding energies per nucleon of all nuclei
and therefore are the most stable.
 Nuclear Fusion
• The fusion of two nuclei lighter than iron or
nickel generally releases energy.
• The fusion of nuclei heavier than them
absorbs energy.
Complete the Reaction
1 H element
atomic number
(protons) 4 Be
1H
6 C
2 He
2 He
H 1H
1

2 He 6 C
4Be O
8

2He
2 He
 Energy needed for Fusion
The thermal activity of a gas is described by its
temperature measurement which is really an indication
of its velocity/energy.
Thermal energy is represented by the height that the
upper magnet.
The upper ring has a potential energy given by PE = mgh
at its drop point which is converted into kinetic energy
(KE = 1/2 mv2)
As the magnet falls towards the lower magnet. The two
magnets click lightly when the kinetic energy is just
greater than the magnetic energy that holds them apart.
Since Kinetic Energy = Potential Energy (ignoring
frictional components), the gravitational pull and mass
of the upper magnet are constant, then the height
needed to overcome the magnetic repelling force is
proportional to that magnetic repelling force.
 Energy needed for Fusion
PE =mg x h2-h1
Upper Drop
Position
PE = KE = Fxh1
Ring
F=force of repulsion Magnets h2
F=PE/h1 Float
Position
Lower h1
Magnet

Wood Block
Fusion Changes Mass to Energy
E=mc2

.993 kg Helium

He
H

1kg Hydrogen
 Cookie Fusion
• Procedure
• Cut 2 squares of wax paper 10 cm on a side
• Cut 5 cm wide slice of cookie dough (atom)
• Find the mass of the atom and record on the table
• Place the atom one cm away from the edge of a wax
paper square
• Repeat step 2 thru 4 for a second atom
• Place the atoms about 2 cm from each other
• Place both atoms on a plate and microwave for 1 minute
• Remove the “new element” and let cool for 2 minutes
• Find the mass of the “new element”
• Complete the table
 Cookie Fusion
Mass Before Mass After
Cooking Cooking
Atom 1

Atom 2

Total

Difference
 Learning Check
What process creates energy in the Sun?
Fusion of hydrogen into helium in the Sun’s core
generates the Sun’s energy.
How long ago did fusion generate the
energy we now receive as sunlight?
Fusion created the energy we receive today about a
million years ago. This is the time it takes for photons
and then convection to transport energy through the
solar interior to the photosphere. Once sunlight
emerges from the photosphere, it takes only about 8
minutes to reach Earth.
Learning Check
 NUCLEAR FISSION
A reaction in which an atomic
nucleus of a radioactive element
splits by bombardment from an
external source, with
simultaneous release of large
amounts of energy, used for
electric power generation
 Nuclear Fission
Neutron induced in U235

Fission is Exothermic

The sum of the masses of

the resulting nuclei is less
than the original mass
(about 0.1% less)

The “missing mass” is converted

to energy according to E=mc2
 Neutrons may:
1 - Cause another fission by colliding with a U235 nucleus

• Creates two smaller nuclides and free neutrons

• The free neutrons potentially collide with nearby U235 nuclei
• May cause the nuclide to split as well

Each split (fission) is

accompanied by a large
2 quantity of E-N-E-R-G-Y
- Be absorbed in other material
3 - Lost in the system

If sufficient neutrons are present, we may achieve a chain reaction

 U.S. Electrical Power
Production by Source

Source: EIA

(2004)
 Nuclear Fuel Costs
• Nuclear Fuel Costs Include
– Uranium
– Enrichment
– Manufacturing
– Waste Disposal
• Total Nuclear Fuel Cost is Only About 0.5 cents
per kilowatt-hour
– Uranium accounts for only about 20% of this cost or
0.1 cents per kilowatt-hour
– Increasing Uranium Cost has Minimal Impact
 Review

Nuclear fission:
A large nucleus splits into several
small nuclei when impacted by a
neutron, and energy is released in
this process

Nuclear fusion:
Several small nuclei fuse
together and release
energy.
 Draw a Double Bubble Map of
Fusion and Fission

fusion fission

Differences Similarities Differences