To produce energy, there are different types of nuclear reactions called nuclear fission and nuclear fusion that releases energy owing to the existence of atomic bonds with power with a higher level among particles that could be traced in a nucleus. In the case of nuclear fission, an atom is divided into smaller or lighter atoms numbering two or more. In comparison, fusion happens when small atoms (two or more) joins or fuse together to form a large or heavy atom. The difference between nuclear fission and fusion is provided here so that learners can understand the concept more effectively.
Fusion is the nuclear reaction which occurs in the sun where the atoms of(isotopes of hydrogen, Hydrogen-3, and Hydrogen-2 ) Deuterium and Tritium combine in a huge pressure atmosphere with extremely high temperature to produce an output in the form of a neutron and an isotope of Helium. Also, the Amount of energy released in fusion is way greater than the energy produced by fission. The difference between these two reactions are listed in the table provided below:
Difference Between Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion
| Basis | Nuclear Fission | Nuclear Fusion |
| Definition | Fission would be defined as the division of single atom into multiple atoms of small size. | Fusion would be defined as the joining of two or more small atoms to form a large atom. |
| The necessity of Energy | Requires less energy to divide atoms to two or more ones. | Huge amount of energy required to combine small atoms to form a large atom. |
| The release of Energy | The amount of energy released in fission is much lower than the energy released in fusion. | The release of energy in fusion is way higher than that of the fission reaction. |
| Production/Usage of energy | Used to produce energy in nuclear power plants. | The technology is used for experiments in power plants. |
| Natural Reactions | Never occurs in nature in normal cases. | Happens in natural forces like stars and sun. |
| Ideal Conditions | There is a necessity to have a critical mass of the substance and neutrons with high speed. | Requires high density and high-temperature atmosphere. |
| Reaction Outcome | The fission reaction produces highly radioactive substances. | Very few radioactive chemicals come out of this reaction. |
| Fuel Used | Uranium is one of the primary fuels in nuclear power plants. | Hydrogen isotopes are used as fuel in experimental plants. |
The table above would have given you a clear idea about how the two terms nuclear fission and fusion varies from one another. For further articles on interesting topics like this visit Byju’s.com
