What is a key difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Fission splits a large nucleus, while fusion joins small nuclei
- Step 1: Fission: a large nucleus (such as uranium) splits into smaller ones.
- Step 2: Fusion: small nuclei such as hydrogen join to form a larger one.
Answer
Fission splits a large nucleus, while fusion joins small nuclei.
Why not the others: Fission joins small nuclei, while fusion splits a large nucleus: the processes are the other way round. Fission needs no neutrons, while fusion needs many: fission is started by neutrons. Fission happens in stars, while fusion happens only in reactors: stars use fusion.
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