Nuclear Fission & Fusion

Do you know the difference? What is nuclear

fission? What is nuclear fusion?
Law of Conservation of Mass-Energy:
● nuclear reactions release energy
● the energy released comes from a conversion of
mass to energy
● The Law of Conservation of Mass-Energy states:
Mass can transform into energy, and energy
into mass, such that the total mass-energy in an
isolated system remains constant.
In other words...
Binding Energy
● In an isolated system, no energy or mass is added
or removed.

● In a nuclear reaction, when there is a decrease in

mass of the nucleus (mass defect), there is a
release of energy (the binding energy)
Nuclear Fission
● Occurs when a radioactive isotope splits into two
or more smaller nuclei

● Fission is an elemental transmutation reaction

● The binding energy of the nucleus is released when

it splits and can be converted into useful forms of
Nuclear Fuel
● Some large unstable nuclei undergo nuclear fission
when they are bombarded by a neutron
● Large amounts of energy are released when this
happens, making nuclear fission an efficient source
for power generation
● In comparison, the amount of energy produced in a
nuclear fission reaction is about 7 million times as
Example: Write the nuclear equation for this
fission reaction.
141
56 Ba

92
36 Kr
Chain Reactions
● the neutrons
released can be used
to trigger further
reactions
● if enough nuclear
fuel is present
(critical mass), a
● the released neutrons must be slowed down before
they can trigger another reaction (process is called
moderation)

● in a CANDU reactor, neutrons are moderated by heavy water,

deuterium
CANDU = Canadian Deuterium Uranium

** Read about the CANDU Nuclear Power Reactor on Pg. 339-340

Nuclear Fission Videos

Nuclear Fission Explained

Nuclear Fission Power Generation
Nuclear Fusion
● reaction involving the joining or fusing together of
smaller nuclei to form a different element
● In order for fusion to occur, the fusing nuclei must
have enough kinetic energy to overcome the
repulsive electrostatic force between them
● This allows the nuclei to get close enough to each
other for the strong nuclear force to take effect (not
Example: Write the nuclear equation for
this fusion reaction.
Nuclear Fusion Products
● The resultant nucleus is smaller in mass than the
sum of the nuclei that made it

● The difference in mass is converted into energy

(according to E=mc2)

Article: How close are we to unlocking the “limitless” energy of nu

Nuclear Fusion Videos

BBC: Major Breakthroughs in Nuclear Guinness World Records: Can a Kid

Fusion Energy 2022 Achieve Nuclear Fusion?