Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion

Compliments to Mr.Peterson

As some people know, nuclear engineering is the science of manipulating atomic nuclei to produce energy. A common example of nuclear engineering is nuclear fission. Another example of this is nuclear fusion.

Here's a chemical equation of a nuclear fission reaction with Uranium
KEY: Atomic No.(Isotope No.)Element

92(235)U + 1n⁰ = 92(236)U
All this means is that one neutron is added to Uranium isotope 235 and produces Uranium isotope 236, an unstable element.

92(236)U= Kr + Ba + n⁰ + energy
The unstable isotope then breaks into Krypton and Barium(sorry I don't have the numbers), releases neutrons, and produces massive amounts of energy.

This process destroyed Hiroshima and a similar one destroyed Nagasaki.
It also is used in nuclear powerplants.

Here's the chemical equation of a nuclear fusion reaction:

4(H) + 2(e^-) = 2He + ENERGY!!!
Four hydrogen atoms combine with two beta particles(electrons)and some energy to create two helium atoms and massive amounts of energy.

This is the process that powers our sun, it is also the fuel of the hydrogen bomb.

History of nuclear bombs

1. The first nuclear bomb was a fission bomb using Uranium, it was dropped on Hiroshima and caused massive damage.
2. The second nuclear bomb was made with Plutonium, it was dropped on Nagasaki, and it caused similar damage.
3. The third nuclear bomb produced is the hydrogen bomb, which is unique because it uses nuclear fusion, not fission. A fusion bomb has not been used in warfare.

On a side note, a fusion bomb is only usable when a fission bomb is used to start the fusion reaction. This is because of the the massive activation energy of a fusion reaction.

Have fun impressing your friends with your knowledge of nuclear engineering!