FUSION AND FISSION

THE SUN

Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion is the process by which multiple nuclei join together to form a heavier nucleus. It is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy depending on the masses of the nuclei involved..

FUSION
DEUTERIUM NEUTRON

HELIUM

TRITIUM

http://fusioned.gat.com

Nuclear Fusion
Iron and nickel nuclei have the largest binding energies per nucleon of all nuclei and therefore are the most stable.

Nuclear Fusion
The fusion of two nuclei lighter than iron or nickel generally releases energy. The fusion of nuclei heavier than them absorbs energy.

Complete the Reaction

1H

element
4Be 6C 2He

atomic number (protons)

1H
2He

1H

1H

2He

6C

4Be
2He
2He

Energy needed for Fusion

The thermal activity of a gas is described by its temperature measurement which is really an indication of its velocity/energy. Thermal energy is represented by the height that the upper magnet. The upper ring has a potential energy given by PE = mgh at its drop point which is converted into kinetic energy (KE = 1/2 mv2) As the magnet falls towards the lower magnet. The two magnets click lightly when the kinetic energy is just greater than the magnetic energy that holds them apart. Since Kinetic Energy = Potential Energy (ignoring frictional components), the gravitational pull and mass of the upper magnet are constant, then the height needed to overcome the magnetic repelling force is proportional to that magnetic repelling force.

Energy needed for Fusion

PE =mg x h2-h1
PE = KE = Fxh1 F=force of repulsion F=PE/h1
Upper Drop Position Ring Magnets Float Position Lower Magnet Wood Block

h2 h1

Fusion Changes Mass to Energy E=mc2

.993 kg Helium

1kg Hydrogen

Cookie Fusion
Procedure Cut 2 squares of wax paper 10 cm on a side Cut 5 cm wide slice of cookie dough (atom) Find the mass of the atom and record on the table Place the atom one cm away from the edge of a wax paper square Repeat step 2 thru 4 for a second atom Place the atoms about 2 cm from each other Place both atoms on a plate and microwave for 1 minute Remove the new element and let cool for 2 minutes Find the mass of the new element Complete the table

Cookie Fusion
Mass Before Cooking Atom 1 Atom 2 Mass After Cooking

Total Difference

Learning Check
What process creates energy in the Sun?
Fusion of hydrogen into helium in the Suns core generates the Suns energy.

How long ago did fusion generate the energy we now receive as sunlight?
Fusion created the energy we receive today about a million years ago. This is the time it takes for photons and then convection to transport energy through the solar interior to the photosphere. Once sunlight emerges from the photosphere, it takes only about 8 minutes to reach Earth.

Learning Check

NUCLEAR FISSION
A reaction in which an atomic nucleus of a radioactive element splits by bombardment from an external source, with simultaneous release of large amounts of energy, used for electric power generation

Nuclear Fission
Neutron induced in U235

Fission is Exothermic The sum of the masses of the resulting nuclei is less than the original mass (about 0.1% less) The missing mass is converted to energy according to E=mc2

Neutrons may:
1 - Cause another fission by colliding with a U235 nucleus
Creates two smaller nuclides and free neutrons The free neutrons potentially collide with nearby U235 nuclei May cause the nuclide to split as well
Each split (fission) is accompanied by a large quantity of E-N-E-R-G-Y

2 - Be absorbed in other material 3 - Lost in the system

If sufficient neutrons are present, we may achieve a chain reaction

U.S. Electrical Power Production by Source

Source: EIA

(2004)

Nuclear Fuel Costs

Nuclear Fuel Costs Include
Uranium Enrichment Manufacturing Waste Disposal

Total Nuclear Fuel Cost is Only About 0.5 cents per kilowatt-hour
Uranium accounts for only about 20% of this cost or 0.1 cents per kilowatt-hour Increasing Uranium Cost has Minimal Impact

Review
Nuclear fission: A large nucleus splits into several small nuclei when impacted by a neutron, and energy is released in this process

Nuclear fusion: Several small nuclei fuse together and release energy.

Draw a Double Bubble Map of Fusion and Fission

fusion

fission

Differences

Similarities

Differences