Q. 5.45 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Indicate whether each of the following is characteristic of the fission or fusion process, or both:

a. Neutrons bombard a nucleus.

b. The nuclear process occurs in the Sun.

c. A large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei.

d. Small nuclei combine to form larger nuclei.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The balanced nuclear equation for the fission reaction is ${}_{92}{}^{235}U+ {}_0{}^{1}n \to {}_{36}{}^{91}Kr + {}_{56}{}^{142}Ba +3 {}_0{}^{1}n + Energy$.

Step 1: Introduction

Nuclear fission: Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei by hitting it with multiple neutrons. During this procedure, a lot of energy is released. A chain reaction has occurred. The following is the nuclear fission equation:${}_{92}{}^{235}U+ {}_0{}^{1}n \to {}_{36}{}^{91}Kr + {}_{56}{}^{142}Ba +3 {}_0{}^{1}n + Energy$

Nuclear fusion: Nuclear fusion occurs when two tiny nuclei, such as hydrogen, fuse together to generate a bigger nucleus. There is a loss of bulk during this process. As a result, a tremendous amount of energy is released. The energy generated by fusion is greater than that released by fission. To overcome nuclei repulsions and fuse the tiny hydrogen nuclei, however, extremely high temperatures are required. The following is the nuclear fusion equation:${}_1{}^{3}H+ {}_1{}^{2}H \to {}_2{}^{4}He + {}_0{}^{1}n + Energy$

Step 2: Given Information part(a)

Nuclear fusion reactions require extremely high temperatures to begin. As a result, it's a fusion procedure.

Step 3: Explanation part(a)

Smaller hydrogen nuclei are fused together in nuclear fusion reactions. However, repulsive interactions will exist among the smaller hydrogen nuclei. To overcome these repellent forces, an extremely high temperature ($100$ million Kelvin, or nearly six times the temperature of the sun's core) is required. As a result, very high temperatures are necessary to ignite nuclear fusion events. As a result, it's a fusion procedure.

Step 4: Given Information part(b)

It generates minimal radioactive wastes. As a result, this is the fusion process feature.

Step 5: Explanation part(b)

Less radioactive waste is produced during nuclear fusion reactions. As a result, this is a fusion process characteristic.

Step 6: Given Information part(c)

In a fusion reaction, the reactants are hydrogen nuclei.

Step 7: Explanation part(c)

Nuclear fusion occurs when two tiny nuclei, such as hydrogen, merge to generate a bigger nucleus. In this fusion process, hydrogen nuclei are the reactants. In a fusion reaction, hydrogen nuclei are the reactants.

Step 8: Given Information part(d)

Nuclear fusion reactions are characterized by the release of huge amounts of energy. As a result, it's a fusion procedure.

Step 9: Explanation part(d)

Both fusion and fission reactions produce energy, however the energy released in fusion is more than the energy released in fission. As a result, the release of massive amounts of energy is a feature of nuclear fusion reactions. As a result, it's a fusion procedure.