Physics and ChemistryMatter |
What is the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion? |
Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus into at least two fragments. Nuclear fusion is a nuclear reaction in which the nuclei of atoms of low atomic number, such as hydrogen and helium, fuse to form a heavier nucleus. Although in both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion substantial amounts of energy are produced, the amount of energy produced in fusion is far greater than the amount of energy produced in fission.