Course work u06a1 Our Sun and the Stars Review Assignmentt, u06d1 Picture of the Week : Solar Maximum, u06d2 Quote of the Week - Coursework Example

Download file to see previous pages In the Sun’s core, the weight of the layers above is very large so that the pressure needed to balance it is also large. Pressure is the product of temperature and density, so high pressure means high densities and high temperatures in the core. The energy released by nuclear fusion heats the gas and maintains the pressure that is needed to cause the nuclear fusion. 2. What is the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion? Which one is used in nuclear power plants? Which one is used by the Sun? Nuclear fusion is the combination of two or more nuclei to form a new element with higher atomic number. The amount of energy released in the fusion reaction is equal to E = mc 2. Nuclear fission is splitting of massive nucleus into photos in the form of free neutrons, other subatomic particles, and gamma rays. The main difference between these two processes is that fission is the splitting of an atom into two or more smaller ones while fusion is the fusing of two or more smaller atoms into a larger one. Nuclear fission is the process used in the production of nuclear power. Fission involves splitting the nucleus of a heavy atom, such as uranium. This yields two or more lighter nuclei and a large amount of energy. Fusion, on the other hand, is the combination of two hydrogen nuclei into one helium nucleus, under conditions of extreme heat and pressure. Fusion is the process by which energy is created in the sun. The difference between Nuclear Fission vs Nuclear Fusion: Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion Definition Fission is the splitting of a large atom into two or more smaller ones. Fusion is the fusing of two or more lighter atoms into a larger one. Natural occurrence of the process Fission reaction does not normally occur in nature. Fusion occurs in stars, such as the sun. Byproducts of the reaction Fission produces many highly radioactive particles. combination of two hydrogen nuclei into one helium nucleus Energy Ratios: The energy released by fission is a million times greater than that released in chemical reactions; but lower than the energy released by nuclear fusion. The energy released by fusion is three to four times greater than the energy released by fission. Nuclear weapon One class of nuclear weapon is a fission bomb, also known as an atomic bomb or atom bomb. One class of nuclear weapon is the hydrogen bomb, which uses a fission reaction to "trigger" a fusion reaction Conditions Critical mass of the substance and high-speed neutrons are required. High density, high temperature environment is required. Energy requirement: Takes little energy to split two atoms in a fission reaction. Extremely high energy is required to bring two or more protons close enough that nuclear forces overcome their electrostatic repulsion. 3. Does the Sun’s fusion rate remain steady or vary wildly? Describe the feedback process that regulates the fusion rate. The Sun’s fusion rate is currently in a steady burn. The H -> He (Hydrogen to Helium) fusion rate is not very dependent on temperature/pressure. The primary mechanism of stellar fusion in the Sun is the proton-proton chain. It takes about 1 billion years on average for the sun to crush four H atoms into one He atom. When He -> C starts, then the Sun will become highly unstable. Because the He fusion rate is very much dependent on temp ...Download file to see next pagesRead More