Nuclear fission and fusion

Question 1

What are the two common element that are used in nuclear reactions?

Answer 1

Uranium
Plutonium

Question 2

Explain the process of nuclear fission (3)

Answer 2

A heavier nuclei absorbs a neutron, causing it to split into 2 smaller nuclei.

When these smaller nuclei are made, a few neutrons are released.

Gamma ray radiation and (kinetic) energy are also released

Question 3

Explain how nuclear fission can be described as a chain reaction?

Answer 3

The neutrons released by the production of two smaller nuclei is absorbed into another heavier nuclei to split it and more neutrons will be released and so on

Question 4

Explain the process of nuclear fusion (3)

Answer 4

Two smaller nuclei are fused/joined together to form a heavier nuclei

Some this heavier nuclei mass will be converted into energy released by radiation

Question 5

Where is nuclear fusion usually carried out?

Answer 5

Star formation

Question 6

Where do controlled fission chain reactions take place?

Answer 6

Nuclear reactor