Nuclear Fusion Reactions
Essential Standard 2.3
Understand the role of the nucleus in
radiation and radioactivity.
Learning Objective 2.2.6
Compare nuclear reactions including
alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma
decay; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.
I Can StatementsAt the end of this lesson, you should be
able to say, with confidence:
• I can distinguish between a chemical
reaction and a nuclear reaction.
• I can distinguish between nuclear fusion
and nuclear fission reactions.
• I can explain where, how, and what is
produced during fusion reactions.
Chemical ReactionsDuring chemical reactions, atoms are not created nor
destroyed, only rearranged.
That’s why chemical
equations had to be
balanced with the
same number of atoms
on the reactant side as
the product side.
Also, only valence electrons are involved in
chemical reactions.
Nuclear ReactionsDuring nuclear reactions, atoms are created and
destroyed or at least, turned into other types of atoms.
Nuclear reactions also
take place inside the
nucleus of the atom,
which is why they’re
called nuclear
reactions.
Nuclear ReactionsThere are two types of nuclear reactions:
Nuclear Fusion and Nuclear Fission.
Nuclear Reactions
During nuclear fusion
reactions, smaller particles or
atoms are fused together to
form larger atoms.
During nuclear fission
reactions, larger atoms
split apart into smaller
atoms and particles.
Nuclear FusionNuclear fusion reactions take place inside of stars,
like our Sun.
Fusion can be distinguished from fission, because
the word fusion has the letters for Sun within the
word fusion.
PlasmaInside stars, like our Sun, the temperatures are so
high that most matter actually exists as plasma,
not as atoms.
Plasma is not made up of atoms, but is made up of
lone protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The high temperatures,
inside the core of the Sun,
transfer thermal energy to
the particles, setting them in
motion at extreme speeds.
As the particles move,
they collide and fuse
together, forming
atoms, in a process
called fusion.
Fusion
As small particles or atoms fuse together, a large
amount of energy is released.
Energy
Albert Einstein’s famous equation, E = MC2,
is derived from nuclear fusion reactions.
E – energy M – mass C – speed of light
The energy released during fusion reactions,
travels outwards, from the stars, in the form of
electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic Waves
Visible Fusion ReactionsHuman eyes are able to see the energy, released by stars during fusion reactions, as light waves.
Formation of AtomsFor most of a star’s life,
Hydrogen isotopes are fused
together to form Helium atoms.
Later, lithium
atoms begin to be
formed and then
beryllium atoms.
Formation of AtomsHelium and beryllium atoms then fuse to form carbon
and oxygen atoms.
Fusion inside of stars and the formation of larger
and larger atoms continues up through the
formation of iron atoms.
SupernovaAfter stars get to the iron formation stage, it explodes
during a large supernova event, and all the atoms
formed inside the star are shot out into space.
As the atoms are shot out
into space, the collide to
form even larger atoms.
92 types of atoms are
formed through this
fusion process.
Star DustOvertime, gravity pulls the atoms together to form
nebulas, galaxies, and solar systems.
Our world and everything on it, including you, are
formed from atoms that were fused together inside
of stars that are long gone.
In a way, you can think of yourself as being made
up of star dust.
Currently there are 118 known elements, 92 of which are
formed through natural fusion reactions.
Naturally Formed Elements
Particle AcceleratorsThe other elements are formed by man inside giant
particle accelerators.
Inside long tubes,
atoms are shot at each
other so the can collide
to form atoms.
Because the particle accelerator tubes have to be so
long, they are located in underground labs.
Particle AcceleratorsThe circles in the photo, below, represent where the
particle accelerator tubes are located underground at
CERNS, near Geneva, Switzerland.
The End
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