A huge amount of energy is released when a heavy nucleus splits up into two smaller nuclei ( nuclear fission) or when two light nuclei come together to form a heavier nucleus ( nuclear fusion). The energy released becomes a very valuable source of energy nowadays as the non-renewable fossil fuels are running out.
What makes the nucleus split apart? In this section, you can investigate what is actually happening in the nucleus during nuclear fission.
Have you heard of Einstein's theory of Relativity? In this section, you will see that mass and energy are actually two facets of the same thing!
When the process of nuclear fission goes on, the neutrons released from one nucleus will hit and split other nucleus. This process results in a chain reaction.
To make practical and non-destructive use of nuclear energy, we need some suitable "containers" to hold the fuels and stand the high temperature. They are called nuclear reactors.
Energy is also liberated during he union of nuclei. You will learn more about the process of nuclear fusion in this section.
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