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It has something to do with the binding energy per nucleon in the nucleus, but mostly has to do with the range of the residual strong force versus the electromagnetic force. Let's check it out. The dynamics of the nucleus are modestly straightforward and can, for the most part, be reduced to two interactions. Setting aside the intricacies of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), we first consider the protons pushing against each other via the coulomb force, an expression of the electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces in the universe (with the weak interaction or weak force, the strong interaction or strong force, and the gravitational force), operates over distance in a 1/d2 manner. At half the distance, four times the force is felt. At twice the distance, one fourth the force is felt. The thing that holds the nucleus together is the residual strong force, or residual strong nuclear force, the nuclear force or sometimes the (nuclear) binding energy or nuclear glue. (All these terms are sometimes seen.) This force has a quirky nature, and operates in the manner of 1/d4 across distances. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that it is really short range compared to the coulomb forces pushing the protons apart. And across large nuclei, it has an increasingly difficult time holding the nucleus together until, at some point, it simply can't do it. Links can be found below to check facts and learn more.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agofission, due to instability of nucleus.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoAtom undergo nuclear fission inorder to atain stable structure.
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoBecause the nucleus of an atom is where all the mass bearing particle comprising an atom reside.
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Compare and contrast fusion and fission?
With nuclear fission, a large atomic nucleus (such as a uranium nucleus) breaks apart into smaller nuclei, and energy is released. With nuclear fusion, small atomic nuclei (such as hydrogen) join to become larger nuclei, and energy is released. Fusion of hydrogen releases much more energy than any other type of either fusion or fission. Note that the dividing line between heavy nuclei and light nuclei is the iron nucleus, which is at the perfect point of nuclear stability, so that neither fusion nor fission of iron nuclei would release any energy.
The splitting of a heavy nucleus is called?
nuclear fission
What makes up a nuclear bomb?
Depends on the type of bomb. The first nuclear weapons were fission weapons- they used a heavy metal such as Uranium or Plutonium. These metals, when compressed by explosives, would undergo nuclear fission, and break into lighter elements, releasing heat and radiation. Later, larger bombs were fusion bombs. They used a fission bomb to start the nuclear reaction, but then used that energy to FUSE light elements, such as Deuterium and Tritium into heavier elements, releasing LARGE amounts of heat and radiation.
What element is in the core of a nuclear bomb?
Severely over simplifying things:In a fission bomb ultra isotopicly pure Uranium-235, Uranium-233, and/or Plutonium-239.In a fusion bomb lithium and deuterium (heavy hydrogen) in the form of solid lithium-deuteride.
Why is carbon fission not possible?
Nuclear fission can only occur in heavy, unstable nuclei, as smaller nuclei are, on the whole, more stable than the largest ones. This only continues down to iron. In elements lighter than iron the heavier nuclei tend to be more stable, so splitting apart a carbon nucleus would absorb energy rather than releasing it. Fusion of carbon releases energy. Such fusion occurs in the cores of some massive stars as they enter their final stages.
What is the difference between fission rector and fusion rector?
Fission means that heavy atoms are split, and converted into smaller ones. Fusion means that light atoms are combined to form heavier atoms.
What is the differenc between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
Fusion means to combine lighter atoms into a heavier atom. Fission means to split a heavy atom into lighter atoms.
What are the two ways nuclear energy can be released?
Fusion (combining light atoms into heavier atoms), and fission (splitting heavy atoms).
Can fision occur in a star?
Not typically. When a star burns it starts with fusion of Hydrogen. Later heavier atoms are formed, also by fusion. It is believed that the very heavy atoms, that release energy when split (fission) are only formed by very massive stars . These atoms are also formed by fusion. When one of these very massive stars explodes (super nova) it spews out its atoms and during this process its possible some fission will occur, but for the most part star evolution is a fusion story.
What is nuculer energy?
Nuclear energy is energy obtained from changes within atomic nuclei. When light atoms combine to form heavier atoms (for example, deuterium is converted to helium), it is called "fusion". When heavy atoms (for example, uranium-235) split, it is called "fission".Nuclear energy is energy obtained from changes within atomic nuclei. When light atoms combine to form heavier atoms (for example, deuterium is converted to helium), it is called "fusion". When heavy atoms (for example, uranium-235) split, it is called "fission".Nuclear energy is energy obtained from changes within atomic nuclei. When light atoms combine to form heavier atoms (for example, deuterium is converted to helium), it is called "fusion". When heavy atoms (for example, uranium-235) split, it is called "fission".Nuclear energy is energy obtained from changes within atomic nuclei. When light atoms combine to form heavier atoms (for example, deuterium is converted to helium), it is called "fusion". When heavy atoms (for example, uranium-235) split, it is called "fission".
What is is nucules?
Nuclear energy is energy obtained from changes within atomic nuclei. When light atoms combine to form heavier atoms (for example, deuterium is converted to helium), it is called "fusion". When heavy atoms (for example, uranium-235) split, it is called "fission".Nuclear energy is energy obtained from changes within atomic nuclei. When light atoms combine to form heavier atoms (for example, deuterium is converted to helium), it is called "fusion". When heavy atoms (for example, uranium-235) split, it is called "fission".Nuclear energy is energy obtained from changes within atomic nuclei. When light atoms combine to form heavier atoms (for example, deuterium is converted to helium), it is called "fusion". When heavy atoms (for example, uranium-235) split, it is called "fission".Nuclear energy is energy obtained from changes within atomic nuclei. When light atoms combine to form heavier atoms (for example, deuterium is converted to helium), it is called "fusion". When heavy atoms (for example, uranium-235) split, it is called "fission".
What does happen within the sun is it fission or fusion?
Fusion only, there are no heavy elements like uranium so there can be no fission taking place
What occurs in nuclear fiusion?
There is no such thing as fiusion. There is fusion and there is fission. fission is when the atoms are spilt apart (like in an atom bomb). fusion is when the atoms are put together (like a hydrogen bomb)
Splitting heavy atoms is fission?
Yes.
Whats the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
Fission is a splitting apart. Fusion is a putting together. You get energy by splitting heavy elements AND by fussing light elements. The mid point is iron, the element with the least amount of available "nuclear" energy ... thus it is the ultimate ash from any nuclear reaction.
What is the splitting of heavy atoms into two or more atoms called?
Fission
Why are fission and fusion called nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy is the source of the energy produced by both fission and fusion. Per Einstein's equation E = mc2 matter may be converted into energy. In fission, the nuclei of heavy atoms like Uranium or Plutonium are split into less heavy elements. Byproducts of fission are nuclear energy and neutrons that may be used to sustain the nuclear fission process as in a reactor or a bomb. In fusion, two nuclei are merged (or fused) to form a heavier element. Often two Hydrogen atoms are fused to form a Helium atom. Fusion is the process that occurs in our sun. Both fission and fusion result in the conversion of a small amount of the matter in the nuclei of the source atom(s) into energy. Therefore, both may be considered nuclear energy.
