Comparing Fusion and Fission (VCE SSCE Physics): Flashcards

Light nuclei combine to form heavier nucleus, releasing energy

Heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei, releasing energy

Fusion: 0.7%, Fission: 0.1% (fusion 7x more efficient)

Iron-56 ($^{56}$Fe)

Both move toward iron-56, increasing binding energy per nucleon

Energy needed to separate nucleus into individual nucleons

Mass difference converted to energy via $E = \Delta mc^2$

All atoms completely ionised; fourth state of matter

15 million kelvin ($15 \times 10^6$ K)

$150 \times 10^6$ K (10x hotter than Sun's core)