introduction to fission and fusion

8/4/2019 Introduction to Fission and Fusion

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Nuclear Reactions:

AN INTRODUCTION TO

FISSION & FUSION

AN INTRODUCTION TO

FISSION & FUSION


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Nuclear reactions deal with interactions betweenNuclear reactions deal with interactions betweenthe nuclei of atomsthe nuclei of atoms

The focus of this presentation are the processes ofThe focus of this presentation are the processes ofnuclear fission and nuclear fusionnuclear fission and nuclear fusion

Both fission and fusion processes deal with matterBoth fission and fusion processes deal with matterand energyand energy

Introduction


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Matter and Energy

Previous studies have taught us that matterPrevious studies have taught us that matterand energy cannot be created nor destroyedand energy cannot be created nor destroyed

We now need to understand that Matter andWe now need to understand that Matter andEnergy are two forms of the same thingEnergy are two forms of the same thing


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Mass

Mass

Matter can be changed into EnergyMatter can be changed into Energy

Einsteins formula above tells us how the changeEinsteins formula above tells us how the change

occursoccurs In the equation above:In the equation above:

E = EnergyE = Energy

m = Massm = Mass

c = Speed of Light (Universal Constant)c = Speed of Light (Universal Constant)

Energy

EnergyLight

Speed

Light

Speed

E = mc2


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E = mc2

The equation may be read as follows:The equation may be read as follows:

Energy (E) is equal to Mass (m) multipliedEnergy (E) is equal to Mass (m) multiplied

by the Speed of Light (c) squaredby the Speed of Light (c) squared This tells us that aThis tells us that a small amount of mass can besmall amount of mass can be

converted into a very largeconverted into a very

large amount of energyamount of energ

ybecause the speed of light (c) is an extremelybecause the speed of light (c) is an extremely

large numberlarge number


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Fission

Fission may be defined as the process ofFission may be defined as the process ofsplitting an atomic nucleus into fissionsplitting an atomic nucleus into fissionfragmentsfragments

The fission fragments are generally in the formThe fission fragments are generally in the formof smaller atomic nuclei and neutronsof smaller atomic nuclei and neutrons

Large amounts of energy are produced by theLarge amounts of energy are produced by the

fission processfission process


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Fission

Fissile nuclei are generallyFissile nuclei are generally heavy atoms withheavyatoms withlarge numbers of nucleonslarge numbers of nucleons

The nuclei of such heavy atoms are struck byThe nuclei of such heavy atoms are struck byneutrons initiating the fission processneutrons initiating the fission process

Fission occurs due to electrostatic repulsionFission occurs due to electrostatic repulsioncreated by large numbers of protons within thecreated by large numbers of protons within the

nuclei of heavy atomsnuclei of heavy atoms


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A classic example of a fission reaction is that ofA classic example of a fission reaction is that ofU-235:U-235:

U-235 + 1 NeutronU-235 + 1 Neutron2 Neutrons + Kr-92 + Ba-142 + Energy2 Neutrons + Kr-92 + Ba-142 + Energy

In this example, a stray neutron strikes an atom of U-235.In this example, a stray neutron strikes an atom of U-235.It absorbs the neutron and becomes an unstable atom ofIt absorbs the neutron and becomes an unstable atom of

U-236. It then undergoes fission. Notice that moreU-236. It then undergoes fission. Notice that moreneutrons are released in the reaction. These neutronsneutrons are released in the reaction. These neutronscan strike other U-235 atoms to initiate their fission.can strike other U-235 atoms to initiate their fission.

Fission


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Fission

The fission process is an a natural one as aThe fission process is an a natural one as aFrench researcher found a natural uraniumFrench researcher found a natural uraniumreactor in Gabon, West Africa; it has beenreactor in Gabon, West Africa; it has been

estimated to be over 2 billion years oldestimated to be over 2 billion years old

Fission produces large amounts of heat energyFission produces large amounts of heat energyand it is this heat that is captured by nuclearand it is this heat that is captured by nuclearpower plants to produce electricitypower plants to produce electricity


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Fusion is a nuclear reaction wherebyFusion is a nuclear reaction whereby two lighttwo lightatomic nuclei fuse or combine to form a singleatomic nuclei fuse or combine to form a singlelarger, heavier nucleuslarger, heavier nucleus

The fusion process generates tremendousThe fusion process generates tremendousamounts of energy; refer back to Einsteinsamounts of energy; refer back to Einsteinsequationequation

For fusion to occur, a large amount of energy isFor fusion to occur, a large amount of energy isneeded to overcome the electrical charges ofneeded to overcome the electrical charges ofthe nuclei and fuse them togetherthe nuclei and fuse them together

Fusion


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Fusion

Fusion reactions do not occur naturally on ourFusion reactions do not occur naturally on ourplanet but are the principal type of reactionplanet but are the principal type of reactionfound in starsfound in stars

The large masses, densities, and highThe large masses, densities, and hightemperatures of stars provide the initial energiestemperatures of stars provide the initial energiesneeded to fuel fusion reactionsneeded to fuel fusion reactions

The sun fuses hydrogen atoms to produceThe sun fuses hydrogen atoms to produce

helium, subatomic particles, and vast amountshelium, subatomic particles, and vast amountsof energyof energy


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Mass and Energy are two forms of the sameMass and Energy are two forms of the samething; neither can be created nor destroyed butthing; neither can be created nor destroyed butmass can be converted into energy (E = mcmass can be converted into energy (E = mc22))

Fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavyFission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavyatomic nucleus is split into lighter atomic nucleiatomic nucleus is split into lighter atomic nuclei

Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which 2 lightFusion is a nuclear reaction in which 2 lightatomic nuclei are combined into a single, heavieratomic nuclei are combined into a single, heavieratomic nucleusatomic nucleus

Review

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