Nuclear Fission vs Nuclear Fusion: A Visual Explainer
A side-by-side visual breakdown of how atoms release energy by splitting (fission) versus combining (fusion) — the two core mechanisms behind nuclear power, weapons, and the Sun itself.
📌 Revision Pointers
Fission: neutron strikes a heavy nucleus (U-235/Pu-239) -> splits -> releases neutrons + energy -> chain reaction.
Fusion: light nuclei (Deuterium + Tritium) fuse under extreme heat/pressure -> forms Helium -> releases even more energy than fission.
Both follow E = mc²: fission powers nuclear plants (e.g. Kudankulam); fusion powers the Sun and is the goal of ITER.
One diagram tracing both nuclear pathways step-by-step, from the triggering event to the energy released.
💭 Conclusion
A frequently confused pair in Physics MCQs — remember: fission SPLITS heavy nuclei, fusion COMBINES light nuclei.