Fission and Fusion: Nuclear Bombardment

Nuclear fusion

Nuclear fission

Photosynthesis

Combustion

A neutron splits a uranium nucleus, releasing energy and more neutrons.

A uranium nucleus absorbs energy and becomes stable.

A neutron combines with a uranium nucleus to form a larger atom.

A uranium nucleus loses electrons and becomes positively charged.

1 gram of nuclear fission material produces as much energy as 3 tons of coal.

Coal produces more energy per gram than nuclear fission material.

Nuclear fission material is less efficient than coal for energy production.

It takes less coal than nuclear material to produce the same energy.

A uranium bullet is fired into a uranium sphere to achieve supercritical mass and start a fission reaction.

A plutonium core is compressed by explosives to start a fusion reaction.

A neutron is fired into a uranium sphere to start a chain reaction.

A uranium sphere is split by a laser to release energy.

To generate electricity directly from nuclear reactions

To cool down the steam and condense it back into water

To contain radioactive materials

To control the speed of the nuclear reaction