Answers to the whole assignment:
**Check for photos at the bottom.**
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Which applies to fission? Check all that apply.
1. involves the splitting of nuclei
2. releases large amounts of energy
4. releases radiation as a waste product
5. occurs in nuclear power plants and is used to generate electricity
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Which applies to fusion? Check all that apply.
2. takes place in the Sun
5. plays a role in the production of essentially all elements heavier than helium
6. releases large amounts of energy
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Complete each nuclear fission reaction.
A: 143
B: 146
C: 56
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Complete each nuclear fusion reaction.
D: 222
E: 86
F: 234
G: 90
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Explanation:
Nuclear fission is when an unstable nucleus splits into 2 smaller, more stable nuclei. This process releases large amounts of energy because it takes a lot less energy to hold a smaller nucleus's structure. People take advantage of this process by converting its thermal energy emission into electrical energy.
Nuclear fusion is the opposite. It is the process of fusing 2 nuclei into one bigger, more stable nucleus. Since this process requires incredible amounts of energy, it occurs in the sun. This also releases huge amounts of energy. The smallest possible element that can be produced from this process is helium, which is made of 2 protons. 1 proton is the smallest element (H).
When completing nuclear fission reactions, each side must add up to have the exact same total mass number (top number), and same total atomic number (bottom number).
