4.02 Nuclear Fission and Fusion

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task

Introduction

There are two types of nuclear reactions:

• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear fusion

When the number of neutrons is much greater than the number of protons, a nucleus becomes unstable. Nuclear fission can occur in high-mass nuclei, whereas nuclear fusion occurs in nuclei of lower mass. Both of these reactions release tremendous amounts of energy.

A general understanding of these processes in necessary for further discussion about nuclear power and nuclear power plants. Pay attention to what you learn in this lesson, as you will need it in discussing nuclear power later on in this unit.

 

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to... Define and identify nuclear fission and fusion as types of nuclear power generation Enduring Understandings Chemical reactions occur constantly all around us. Nuclear reactions occur when changes happen in the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear reactions and nuclear power are important in everyday uses but can also pose many risks to people. The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Physical Science standards: 6