distinguish between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

Characteristics of nuclear fusion reactions make possible the use of non-fissile depleted uranium as the weapon's main fuel, thus allowing more efficient use of scarce fissile material such as uranium-235 ( 235 Its greater sophistication affords it vastly greater destructive power than first-generation nuclear bombs, a more compact size, a lower mass, or a combination of these benefits. Radiation case (confines thermal X-rays by reflection)Ī thermonuclear weapon, fusion weapon or hydrogen bomb ( H bomb) is a second-generation nuclear weapon design.Radiation channel filled with polystyrene foam.Tritium 'boost' gas (blue) within plutonium or uranium hollow core.Uranium-238 ('tamper') lined with beryllium reflector.Experimental chamber of the Megajoule Laser © P. Today, there are only two places in the world where experiments are being conducted with this type of fusion, one of which is based in France: the Megajoule Laser ( Laser Mégajoule – LMJ) near Bordeaux. Heated to very high temperatures, these two isotopes of hydrogen atoms then collide and fuse into heavier helium atoms, producing a colossal volume of energy. With inertial confinement, the nuclear fusion is triggered by focusing high-power laser beams onto a fuel capsule, which contains a mixture of deuterium and tritium. Two methods are used to achieve the fusion of atoms: inertial confinement and magnetic confinement. The reactors have to prevent the walls from melting while maintaining fusion for as long as possible. Representing a real technological challenge, this process requires the confinement of heat at a temperature of 150 million degrees. It would generate very little waste, which would also be considerably less radioactive.įor the same quantity of material, nuclear fusion would make it possible to produce 4 million times more energy than fossil fuels: oil, gas and coal. Still at the experimental stage, nuclear fusion gives us hope of being able to produce low-carbon energy in large quantities and on an almost continuous basis.

Sample of Uranium Tetrafluoride (UF4) © Oranoįusion energy and the reactors of the future The uranium used as fuel is now enriched to contain more uranium 235, rather than using natural uranium. Water is used as a neutron moderator and coolant. Today, nuclear technology in France uses pressurized water reactors, containing hydrogen, and no longer make use of gas. Heat transfer was achieved by using gas and thus generated CO 2 emissions. Originally, the reactors contained natural uranium and required heavy water laden with graphite to slow down the neutrons.

The technology has evolved considerably since. It was not until the 1960s that fission technology came to be used in the generation of electricity, with the design of the first civil reactors. Originally, nuclear fission was discovered by an Austrian physicist, Lise Meitner and the German chemist, Otto Hahn, who received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1944 for his discoveries. In France, reactors use the process of nuclear fission. Nuclear fission, proven track record in industrial operation Proven expertise in recycling and nuclear waste management

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Distinguish between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion