8 GCSE Nuclear Fission and Fusion

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Revision notes:

Nuclear fission is a reaction where a large unstable nucleus splits into two smaller ones. It usually has to be started by the unstable nucleus absorbing a neutron. It produces two smaller nuclei and two or three neutrons with energy in their kinetic energy stores, as well as energy in the form of gamma rays. The neutrons that the reaction produces can lead to further fission, and this may cause a chain reaction.

Chain reactions are controlled in nuclear power plants and are used to release lots of energy. Nuclear weapons use an uncontrolled chain reaction to cause an explosion.

Section 2: Nuclear Fusion

In nuclear fusion, two small nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. The process of this is described below.