Nuclear Energy from Fission and Fusion - Revision history

VeerGudhka at 05:52, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:52:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:52, 28 April 2026
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	To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, interact with the computational model below:		To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, interact with the computational model below:

	[https://trinket.io/glowscript/59689e729136]		https://trinket.io/glowscript/59689e729136

	The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.		The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.

VeerGudhka at 05:52, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:52:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:52, 28 April 2026
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	'''Nuclear Fission and Fusion'''		'''Nuclear Fission and Fusion'''

	Nuclear fission is quite simply described as the process by which a large atom (usually Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239) is broken into two smaller atoms. In this process, the mass of one or more neutrons is converted to energy and is expelled in massive amounts in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The equation E = MC^2 represents the energy of any given mass (M) when it is converted to energy. For example, if a neutron weighs 6.5e-27 kg, the energy resulting from it would equal (6.5e-27kg)(3~~,000,000~~ m/s)^2 = 5.85e-14 Joules.		Nuclear fission is quite simply described as the process by which a large atom (usually Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239) is broken into two smaller atoms. In this process, the mass of one or more neutrons is converted to energy and is expelled in massive amounts in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The equation E = MC^2 represents the energy of any given mass (M) when it is converted to energy. For example, if a neutron weighs 6.5e-27 kg, the energy resulting from it would equal (6.5e-27kg)(3 × 10^8 m/s)^2 = 5.85e-14 Joules.

	Nuclear fusion happens when two particles of much smaller mass (deuterium or tritium, Atomic Numbers 2 and 3, respectively) collide at massive speeds to essentially "knock" a neutron off and convert it to energy. This process is much more powerful per KG of reactive material, largely because Uranium weighs more than 100 times as much as deuterium, but there is a similar amount of mass converted to energy in both reactions.		Nuclear fusion happens when two particles of much smaller mass (deuterium or tritium, Atomic Numbers 2 and 3, respectively) collide at massive speeds to essentially "knock" a neutron off and convert it to energy. This process is much more powerful per KG of reactive material, largely because Uranium weighs more than 100 times as much as deuterium, but there is a similar amount of mass converted to energy in both reactions.
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	[1]		[1]

	Nuclear power plants have massive reactors which accelerate neutrons that are to be collided with uranium. These particles must possess enough energy to split the very powerful inter nuclear forces, and when this happens ~~neutrons are then~~ converted ~~from mass to~~ energy.		Nuclear power plants have massive reactors which accelerate neutrons that are to be collided with uranium. These particles must possess enough energy to split the very powerful inter nuclear forces, and when this happens a small amount of the total mass of the system is converted into energy.

	Fusion is not yet entirely harness able on a large scale, but there are multiple uses. Fusion bombs are significantly more powerful than the fission bombs from WWII. This is, as aforementioned, due to the power per KG being much higher with fusion than for fission.		Fusion is not yet entirely harness able on a large scale, but there are multiple uses. Fusion bombs are significantly more powerful than the fission bombs from WWII. This is, as aforementioned, due to the power per KG being much higher with fusion than for fission.
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	To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, interact with the computational model below:		To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, interact with the computational model below:

	https://trinket.io/glowscript/59689e729136		[https://trinket.io/glowscript/59689e729136]

	The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.		The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.
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	E = MC^2		E = MC^2
	C= 3~~,000,000~~		C= 3 × 10^8
	M = 0.05 * 1.66e-27 = 8.3e-29		M = 0.05 * 1.66e-27 = 8.3e-29

VeerGudhka at 05:49, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:49:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:49, 28 April 2026
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	This information all must mean something. Without nuclear fission and fusion, most particles' energy can be measured with just total Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy due to gravity. Using the '''rest energy''', kinetic energy and potential energy, a system's energy can now be be entirely represented in the case of a nuclear reaction taking place. The massive amount of energy can be accurately accounted for, assuming the masses of the particles before and after the reaction are known.		This information all must mean something. Without nuclear fission and fusion, most particles' energy can be measured with just total Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy due to gravity. Using the '''rest energy''', kinetic energy and potential energy, a system's energy can now be be entirely represented in the case of a nuclear reaction taking place. The massive amount of energy can be accurately accounted for, assuming the masses of the particles before and after the reaction are known.

	Examples~~[edit]~~		==Examples==

	0.05AMU was lost as energy. How much energy was produced?		0.05AMU was lost as energy. How much energy was produced?
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	Vf = 261,269 m/s		Vf = 261,269 m/s

	==Connectedness~~[edit]~~==		==Connectedness==

	Chemical Engineers have an obligation to the world to make energy production more efficient and more clean. Even with fossil fuel burning, the efficiency is drastically lower than 100% and thus millions of dollars are lost every year and the world continues to see increased CO2 emissions.		Chemical Engineers have an obligation to the world to make energy production more efficient and more clean. Even with fossil fuel burning, the efficiency is drastically lower than 100% and thus millions of dollars are lost every year and the world continues to see increased CO2 emissions.
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	There is also an obligation for scientists to stray away from using these concepts for destruction and war. The potential energy associated with some of the new fusion bombs is surely enough to lead humanity into extinction. Furthermore, the lingering effects of radioactive decay can affect many more than those just within the blast radius.		There is also an obligation for scientists to stray away from using these concepts for destruction and war. The potential energy associated with some of the new fusion bombs is surely enough to lead humanity into extinction. Furthermore, the lingering effects of radioactive decay can affect many more than those just within the blast radius.

	==History~~[edit]~~==		==History==

	James Chadwick first discovered the existence of a neutron in 1932. Frederic and Irene Curie then took this concept further and discovered that radioactive materials can be created in a lab, and not just found in nature. At this time, the knowledge of radioactivity and nuclear energy was limited to radium 232. The first ever nuclear reactor became fully operational on December 2nd, 1942.		James Chadwick first discovered the existence of a neutron in 1932. Frederic and Irene Curie then took this concept further and discovered that radioactive materials can be created in a lab, and not just found in nature. At this time, the knowledge of radioactivity and nuclear energy was limited to radium 232. The first ever nuclear reactor became fully operational on December 2nd, 1942.
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	[2]		[2]

	==See also~~[edit]~~==		==See also==
	For more specifics, look at energy. Also, there are a variety of specific ways radioactive energy is different than most energy experienced on earth. Also, radioactivity helped researchers gain insight toward quantum physics, which is one of the most popular concepts currently being studied.		For more specifics, look at energy. Also, there are a variety of specific ways radioactive energy is different than most energy experienced on earth. Also, radioactivity helped researchers gain insight toward quantum physics, which is one of the most popular concepts currently being studied.


	==References~~[edit]~~==		==References==

	[1] http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html		[1] http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html

	[2] https://wikipedia.org/NuclearPhysics		[2] https://wikipedia.org/NuclearPhysics

	[3] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQ_5hxC-UA5VtX3rUSSwTdVZ98IjRQRD1q_g&s		[3] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQ_5hxC-UA5VtX3rUSSwTdVZ98IjRQRD1q_g&s

	Category: Radioactivity		Category: Radioactivity

VeerGudhka at 05:48, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:48:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:48, 28 April 2026
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	'''Contents'''		'''Contents'''

	== 1 The Main Idea ==		1 The Main Idea

	1.1 A Mathematical Model		1.1 A Mathematical Model

	1.2 Why Nuclear Reactions Release Energy		1.2 Why Nuclear Reactions Release Energy

	2 Examples		2 Examples

	2.1 Simple		2.1 Simple

	2.2 Middling		2.2 Middling

	2.3 Difficult		2.3 Difficult

	3 Connectedness		3 Connectedness
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	5 See also		5 See also

	5.1 Further reading		5.1 Further reading

	5.2 External links		5.2 External links

	6 References		6 References

	~~'''~~The Main Idea~~'''~~		==The Main Idea==

	There are many reasons nuclear power is preferred over conventional fossil fuel burning. With environmental standards becoming more stringent every year, energy companies are forced to begin seeking options greener and more sustainable. The main advantage of nuclear energy is the sheer power per kg of raw material. For instance, 1KG of Uranium contains 2-3 million times more energy than 1KG of coal. Furthermore, the byproducts are radioactive, but come in much less volume and are all usually safely stored underground.		There are many reasons nuclear power is preferred over conventional fossil fuel burning. With environmental standards becoming more stringent every year, energy companies are forced to begin seeking options greener and more sustainable. The main advantage of nuclear energy is the sheer power per kg of raw material. For instance, 1KG of Uranium contains 2-3 million times more energy than 1KG of coal. Furthermore, the byproducts are radioactive, but come in much less volume and are all usually safely stored underground.
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	Fusion is not yet entirely harness able on a large scale, but there are multiple uses. Fusion bombs are significantly more powerful than the fission bombs from WWII. This is, as aforementioned, due to the power per KG being much higher with fusion than for fission.		Fusion is not yet entirely harness able on a large scale, but there are multiple uses. Fusion bombs are significantly more powerful than the fission bombs from WWII. This is, as aforementioned, due to the power per KG being much higher with fusion than for fission.

	~~'''~~Why Nuclear Reactions Release Energy~~'''~~		==Why Nuclear Reactions Release Energy==

	In the last section you read that 1kg of Uranium contains 2-3 million times more energy than 1kg of coal - but where does this energy come from?		In the last section you read that 1kg of Uranium contains 2-3 million times more energy than 1kg of coal - but where does this energy come from?
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	The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.		The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.

	~~'''~~A Mathematical Model~~'''~~		==A Mathematical Model==

	As mentioned, the general equation E=MC^2 can provide significant insight on the energy production from fission. The energy created must have come from mass, and this mass's origin is not always entirely easy to follow and understand.		As mentioned, the general equation E=MC^2 can provide significant insight on the energy production from fission. The energy created must have come from mass, and this mass's origin is not always entirely easy to follow and understand.
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	Vf = 261,269 m/s		Vf = 261,269 m/s

	Connectedness[edit]		==Connectedness[edit]==

	Chemical Engineers have an obligation to the world to make energy production more efficient and more clean. Even with fossil fuel burning, the efficiency is drastically lower than 100% and thus millions of dollars are lost every year and the world continues to see increased CO2 emissions.		Chemical Engineers have an obligation to the world to make energy production more efficient and more clean. Even with fossil fuel burning, the efficiency is drastically lower than 100% and thus millions of dollars are lost every year and the world continues to see increased CO2 emissions.
Line 143:		Line 143:
	There is also an obligation for scientists to stray away from using these concepts for destruction and war. The potential energy associated with some of the new fusion bombs is surely enough to lead humanity into extinction. Furthermore, the lingering effects of radioactive decay can affect many more than those just within the blast radius.		There is also an obligation for scientists to stray away from using these concepts for destruction and war. The potential energy associated with some of the new fusion bombs is surely enough to lead humanity into extinction. Furthermore, the lingering effects of radioactive decay can affect many more than those just within the blast radius.

	History[edit]		==History[edit]==

	James Chadwick first discovered the existence of a neutron in 1932. Frederic and Irene Curie then took this concept further and discovered that radioactive materials can be created in a lab, and not just found in nature. At this time, the knowledge of radioactivity and nuclear energy was limited to radium 232. The first ever nuclear reactor became fully operational on December 2nd, 1942.		James Chadwick first discovered the existence of a neutron in 1932. Frederic and Irene Curie then took this concept further and discovered that radioactive materials can be created in a lab, and not just found in nature. At this time, the knowledge of radioactivity and nuclear energy was limited to radium 232. The first ever nuclear reactor became fully operational on December 2nd, 1942.
	The first nuclear power plant wasn't fully operational until June 27, 1954 and was built in Russia. It is called the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant. At the time, sustaining a nuclear power plant was much more expensive than maintaining a fossil fuel plant of similar size and output energy. Of course, engineers and scientists promised cheaper costs as further research was conducted. The first commercial power plant was built in Calder Hall, England in 1956. It produced 50 MW initially, but later was upgraded to reach outputs of 200 MW.		The first nuclear power plant wasn't fully operational until June 27, 1954 and was built in Russia. It is called the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant. At the time, sustaining a nuclear power plant was much more expensive than maintaining a fossil fuel plant of similar size and output energy. Of course, engineers and scientists promised cheaper costs as further research was conducted. The first commercial power plant was built in Calder Hall, England in 1956. It produced 50 MW initially, but later was upgraded to reach outputs of 200 MW.
	[2]		[2]
	See also[edit]
			==See also[edit]==
	For more specifics, look at energy. Also, there are a variety of specific ways radioactive energy is different than most energy experienced on earth. Also, radioactivity helped researchers gain insight toward quantum physics, which is one of the most popular concepts currently being studied.		For more specifics, look at energy. Also, there are a variety of specific ways radioactive energy is different than most energy experienced on earth. Also, radioactivity helped researchers gain insight toward quantum physics, which is one of the most popular concepts currently being studied.


	References[edit]		==References[edit]==

	[1] http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html		[1] http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html

VeerGudhka at 05:47, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:47:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:47, 28 April 2026
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	'''Contents'''		'''Contents'''

	1 The Main Idea		== 1 The Main Idea ==

	1.1 A Mathematical Model		1.1 A Mathematical Model

	1.2 Why Nuclear Reactions Release Energy		1.2 Why Nuclear Reactions Release Energy

	~~1.3 A Computational Model~~

	2 Examples		2 Examples
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	KEf = 2.267e-16		KEf = 2.267e-16
	Vf = 261,269 m/s		Vf = 261,269 m/s

	~~'''A computational model'''~~

	Connectedness[edit]		Connectedness[edit]

VeerGudhka at 05:46, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:46:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:46, 28 April 2026
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	To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, interact with the computational model below:		To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, interact with the computational model below:

	~~<embed src="~~https://trinket.io~~/embed~~/glowscript/59689e729136~~" width="100%" height="400"></embed>~~		https://trinket.io/glowscript/59689e729136

	The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.		The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.

VeerGudhka at 05:44, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:44:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:44, 28 April 2026
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	In the fission of Uranium-235, the resulting nuclei have higher binding energy per nucleon than the original nucleus. As the system moves to a more stable state (lower total energy), energy is released. This released energy corresponds exactly to the mass defect through E = mc^2.		In the fission of Uranium-235, the resulting nuclei have higher binding energy per nucleon than the original nucleus. As the system moves to a more stable state (lower total energy), energy is released. This released energy corresponds exactly to the mass defect through E = mc^2.

	To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, ~~play around~~ with the ~~program~~ below:		To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, interact with the computational model below:

	<~~iframe~~ src="https://trinket.io/embed/glowscript/59689e729136" width="100%" height="~~356" frameborder="0~~" ~~marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" allowfullscreen~~></~~iframe~~>		<embed src="https://trinket.io/embed/glowscript/59689e729136" width="100%" height="400"></embed>

	The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.		The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.

VeerGudhka at 05:42, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:42:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:42, 28 April 2026
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	'''The Main Idea'''		'''The Main Idea'''

	There are many reasons nuclear power is preferred over conventional fossil fuel burning. With environmental standards becoming more stringent every year, energy companies are forced to begin seeking options greener and more sustainable. The main advantage of nuclear energy is the sheer power per kg of raw material. For instance, 1KG of Uranium contains 2-3 million times more energy than 1KG of coal. Furthermore, the byproducts are radioactive, but come in much less volume and are all usually safely stored underground.		There are many reasons nuclear power is preferred over conventional fossil fuel burning. With environmental standards becoming more stringent every year, energy companies are forced to begin seeking options greener and more sustainable. The main advantage of nuclear energy is the sheer power per kg of raw material. For instance, 1KG of Uranium contains 2-3 million times more energy than 1KG of coal. Furthermore, the byproducts are radioactive, but come in much less volume and are all usually safely stored underground.

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	In the fission of Uranium-235, the resulting nuclei have higher binding energy per nucleon than the original nucleus. As the system moves to a more stable state (lower total energy), energy is released. This released energy corresponds exactly to the mass defect through E = mc^2.		In the fission of Uranium-235, the resulting nuclei have higher binding energy per nucleon than the original nucleus. As the system moves to a more stable state (lower total energy), energy is released. This released energy corresponds exactly to the mass defect through E = mc^2.

	To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy		To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy, play around with the program below:

			<iframe src="https://trinket.io/embed/glowscript/59689e729136" width="100%" height="356" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

	The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.		The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.
Line 133:		Line 136:
	KEf = 2.267e-16		KEf = 2.267e-16
	Vf = 261,269 m/s		Vf = 261,269 m/s

			'''A computational model'''

	Connectedness[edit]		Connectedness[edit]

	Chemical Engineers have an obligation to the world to make energy production more efficient and more clean. Even with fossil fuel burning, the efficiency is drastically lower than 100% and thus millions of dollars are lost every year and the world continues to see increased CO2 emissions.		Chemical Engineers have an obligation to the world to make energy production more efficient and more clean. Even with fossil fuel burning, the efficiency is drastically lower than 100% and thus millions of dollars are lost every year and the world continues to see increased CO2 emissions.

Line 142:		Line 148:

	History[edit]		History[edit]

	James Chadwick first discovered the existence of a neutron in 1932. Frederic and Irene Curie then took this concept further and discovered that radioactive materials can be created in a lab, and not just found in nature. At this time, the knowledge of radioactivity and nuclear energy was limited to radium 232. The first ever nuclear reactor became fully operational on December 2nd, 1942.		James Chadwick first discovered the existence of a neutron in 1932. Frederic and Irene Curie then took this concept further and discovered that radioactive materials can be created in a lab, and not just found in nature. At this time, the knowledge of radioactivity and nuclear energy was limited to radium 232. The first ever nuclear reactor became fully operational on December 2nd, 1942.
	The first nuclear power plant wasn't fully operational until June 27, 1954 and was built in Russia. It is called the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant. At the time, sustaining a nuclear power plant was much more expensive than maintaining a fossil fuel plant of similar size and output energy. Of course, engineers and scientists promised cheaper costs as further research was conducted. The first commercial power plant was built in Calder Hall, England in 1956. It produced 50 MW initially, but later was upgraded to reach outputs of 200 MW.		The first nuclear power plant wasn't fully operational until June 27, 1954 and was built in Russia. It is called the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant. At the time, sustaining a nuclear power plant was much more expensive than maintaining a fossil fuel plant of similar size and output energy. Of course, engineers and scientists promised cheaper costs as further research was conducted. The first commercial power plant was built in Calder Hall, England in 1956. It produced 50 MW initially, but later was upgraded to reach outputs of 200 MW.

VeerGudhka at 05:25, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:25:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 28 April 2026
Line 80:		Line 80:

	In the fission of Uranium-235, the resulting nuclei have higher binding energy per nucleon than the original nucleus. As the system moves to a more stable state (lower total energy), energy is released. This released energy corresponds exactly to the mass defect through E = mc^2.		In the fission of Uranium-235, the resulting nuclei have higher binding energy per nucleon than the original nucleus. As the system moves to a more stable state (lower total energy), energy is released. This released energy corresponds exactly to the mass defect through E = mc^2.

			To better understand the relationship between mass defect and energy

	The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.		The next section explores this idea more quantitatively.

VeerGudhka at 05:19, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T05:19:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:19, 28 April 2026
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	To understand where this mass goes, we use the equation E = mc^2, one of the fundamental relations in modern physics. This equation shows that mass and energy are equivalent, and that a small loss of mass corresponds to a large release of energy. The underlying reason for this energy release is nuclear binding energy. Binding energy is the energy required to hold a nucleus together. A nucleus with higher binding energy per nucleon is more stable.		To understand where this mass goes, we use the equation E = mc^2, one of the fundamental relations in modern physics. This equation shows that mass and energy are equivalent, and that a small loss of mass corresponds to a large release of energy. The underlying reason for this energy release is nuclear binding energy. Binding energy is the energy required to hold a nucleus together. A nucleus with higher binding energy per nucleon is more stable.

	This behavior can be understood using the binding energy per nucleon curve, which peaks near iron, explaining why both fission of heavy nuclei and fusion of light nuclei release energy.		This behavior can be understood using the binding energy per nucleon curve [3], which peaks near iron, explaining why both fission of heavy nuclei and fusion of light nuclei release energy.

	[[File:binding_energy.png]]		[[File:binding_energy.png]]
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	[1] http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html		[1] http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html
	[2] https://wikipedia.org/NuclearPhysics		[2] https://wikipedia.org/NuclearPhysics
			[3] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQ_5hxC-UA5VtX3rUSSwTdVZ98IjRQRD1q_g&s

	Category: Radioactivity		Category: Radioactivity