Fission and Fusion

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Fission and Fusion
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Nuclear Fission

• When a nucleus fissions, it splits into several
  smaller fragments. When this is done, a
  tremendous amount of energy is released. The
  energy is both heat and light energy

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Nuclear Fusion

• Another form of nuclear energy is called fusion.
  Fusion means joining smaller nuclei to make a
  larger nucleus. This gives off heat and light and
  other radiation.

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Where They Occur

• Fusion occurs in stars and the sun. Every 4.5
  million tons of the sun's mass is converted into
  other forms of energy every second. 
• Fission occurs in nuclear power plants, atom
  bomb, nuclear submarine and anything with a
  nuclear reactor.

The sun
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Advantages of Fission

• More powerful weaponry such as the H bomb and A
  bomb.
• Can be used as form of energy produced in power
  plants
• Fewer waste products are produced
• Materials are more abundant, more efficient,
  and less pollutant than coal and oil.

H-Bomb
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Economic Advantages

• Materials dont have to be supplied as regularly
• Nuclear plants are smaller then electrical
  plants
• The construction of a Nuclear Power plant is
  more expensive but the materials are cheaper
  saving money in the long run.

Nuclear plant
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Disadvantages of Fission

• Possibility of nuclear meltdown from uncontrolled
  reaction--leads to nuclear fallout with
  potentially harmful effects on civilians
• Waste products can be used to manufacture weapons
• High initial cost because plant requires
  containment safeguards

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Advantages of Fusion

• Abundant fuel supply
• No risk of a nuclear accident
• No air pollution
• No high-level nuclear waste
• No generation of weapon material

Fusion reactor
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Disadvantages of Fusion

• Scientists have not yet been able to contain a
  fusion reaction long enough for there to be a net
  energy gain.
• Many countries are phasing out fusion research
  because of the failure to reach a breakthrough