Robert Pratt
Nuclear physics
Fission and Fusion
I have chosen to do my report on nuclear Physics for a few particular reasons; (1) I know that the
power of nuclear technology is immense in comparison to any other current technology we use to get
energy today. (2) I am also aware that nuclear technology is a highly controversial topic in society
because of its highly destructive capabilities. (3) I feel that most people do not understanding the
components that make nuclear power and technology and how affective it can be as an alternative energy
source. For this report I will be focusing on three main ideas; what is nuclear fusion and nuclear fission;
where is being used today; and what are the risks to using nuclear technology as a primary energy source.
After reviewing many different sources of data, I still found that a lot of the information in this
area of study was over my head, but I was able to grasp the some main points. Nuclear fission is when a
particle, usually a neutron, collides with the nucleus causing the atom splitting it into smaller atom;
“fission of heavy elements” is an exothermic reaction which can release large amounts of energy both as
electromagnetic radiation and as kinetic energy of the fragments” (newworldencyclopedia.com). This
means the large elements releases energy usually in the form of gamma radiation and particles. ‘Nuclear
fusion is the process by which multiple atomic particles join together to form a heavier nucleus,”
(Newworldencyclopidia.com). Basically nuclear fusion is when two atoms come together; this in turn can
release or absorb energy depending on the elements used to create a nuclear reaction. If the elements are
lighter then nickel or iron energy is released. If the elements are heavier then nickel or iron energy is
absorbed; the same could be said about fission but flipped around; fission of heavier elements creates
energy; while fission of lighter elements absorbs energy.
Where do we use these energies? “Nuclear fission produces energy for nuclear power and to drive
the explosions of nuclear weapons” (1. Newworldencyclopedia.com). When free neutrons strike the
Robert Pratt
nucleus of a particular element, a chain reaction happens that separates the nucleus into two new
elements; with an extra free neutron; which in turns hits another nucleus. When this rate is controlled it
can be use in nuclear reactors which gives off energy in the form of heat; which turns the turbines and
generates electricity. Nuclear weapons on the other hand have an uncontrolled rate, at which the nuclear
reactions happen, giving off energy at a rapid rate. Nuclear Fusion commonly takes place with stars;
especial when they go super nova. As of yet we do not use Nuclear Fusion as an energy source, but we
have use it in a hydrogen bomb. The closest thing we have to nuclear fusion today is the theory called
Cold Fusion. I will use Newworldencyclopedia.com as my point of reference to explain this point. At
first it looked like cold fusion was possible, but scientist have disproven or disregarded the research that
Cold Fusion can actually happen on a consistent bases; for a theory to work it must be replicated over and
over again with consistent results A man named Fleischmann Pons claimed that he had done cold fusion,
and submitted his work to be examined by other scientist. They tried to replicate his experiments, but had
mixed results of success, failures, and possible errors. As of yet nuclear fusion is not usable, but nuclear
fission on the other hand is; and it is being used in our nuclear power plants providing us with electric
power.
The cons of nuclear power are very obvious to me; nuclear waste, nuclear disasters, the threat of
nuclear weapons and/or nuclear war. Nuclear waste is a serious problem that could affects everyone on
this planet; and the only way to dispose of it is by time. Depending on the radioactive-isotope it may take
hundreds of thousands of years before it becomes harmless to the human or in some cases it only takes a
few short minutes; because of the radio activity given off by the radioactive isotopes. Our countries
current plan for dealing with nuclear waste and its byproducts is baring or storing the long-life radioactive
isotopes until they are considered harmless and/or to shield the short life radioactive isotopes until they
are considers harmless as well. When it comes to nuclear weapons the capability of destroying every
living thing on this planet isn’t of great comfort to me; even on a small scale, a nuclear war could send us
all into a nuclear winter or drastically drop the climate of the planet .
Robert Pratt
I’m not in favor of having “nuclear technology” risking the extinction of the human race. As the
world’s population increase so does the need for consumable energy. I feel that by increasing our supply
of nuclear energy, we can accommodate our energy needs more affectively then by the use of fusil fuels
alone. So in my eyes, nuclear power is a needed “evil” until we can replace it with something better.