Nuclear Reactions

Nuclear reaction

If two nuclei or nuclear particles collide and produce products that are different from the original nuclei or nuclear particles, this is referred to as a Nuclear Reaction in nuclear chemistry and physics. Also keep in mind that the Reaction can involve more than two colliding Particles, but this is a rare occurrence. If the Particles collide with each other without undergoing any change, the process is referred to as an Elastic Collision rather than a Reaction, and the process is classified as such. Balanced Analogously, you can represent the Nuclear Reaction in an Equation that is similar to a Chemical Equation. Nuclear decays, on the other hand, can be represented in a similar manner. Discover what a Nuclear Reaction is, what types of Nuclear Reactions there are, and some insightful frequently asked questions in this informative article.

Definition of a Nuclear Reaction

One or more nuclides are produced as a result of the collision of an Atomic Nucleus with another Atomic Nucleus or as a result of the collision of one Atomic Nucleus with a Subatomic Particle. The Nuclides produced by Nuclear Reactions are not the same as the Nuclides produced by reacting nuclei or the parent nuclei. Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion Reactions are the two types of nuclear reactions that are most commonly encountered.

The heavy nucleus in nuclear fission has a tendency to absorb neutrons or other relatively lighter particles. Furthermore, it disintegrates into two or lighter Nuclei. Nuclear Fusion, on the other hand, refers to a process in which two light nuclei collide to form a single heavy nucleus as a result of the collision. Nuclear Reactions are defined as external changes that occur on Atomic Nuclei as a result of their internal changes.

Specific processes that do not meet the definition of Nuclear Reactions are listed below. These processes appear to be similar to a Nuclear Reaction in their appearance. However, unlike a Nuclear Reaction, these occur spontaneously rather than being induced.

• Nuclear decay is a process in which an unstable nucleus tends to emit radiation as a result of its instability. The sole purpose of doing so is to deplete one’s energy reserves.

• Spontaneous Fission Reactions: These are reactions that take place without the presence of neutrons, and as a result, do not require the presence of neutrons to take place.

• Nuclear Scattering Process: This process involves the collision and separation of atomic nuclei without altering the composition of the nucleus. The only thing that has happened is a transfer of momentum and energy.

Reactions in nuclear reactors release enormous amounts of energy

Unlike other atomic nuclei, the mass of an atomic nucleus is always less than the sum of the individual masses of each subatomic particle that makes it up (protons and neutrons). This difference in mass is attributed to nuclear binding energy, which is a nuclear reaction (often referred to as a mass defect). It is possible to define nuclear binding energy as the amount of energy required to keep all of the protons and neutrons contained within the nucleus.

A nuclear reaction (such as a fission or fusion reaction) releases the mass accounted for by the nuclear binding energy according to the equation e = mc2 (energy equals mass times the square of the speed of light), which is defined as mass times the square of the speed of light.

To make things easier to understand, the products formed in nuclear fission and nuclear fusion always have a lower mass than the reactants in both processes. In order to make up for this missing’ mass, it is converted into energy. A single gramme of matter can release approximately 90,000,00000 kilojoules of energy, which is a huge amount of energy.

Nuclear fusion

Nuclear Fusion is the process of combining nuclear fuel with other elements to form a new fuel source.

When two or more light nuclei collide, they fuse to form a heavier nucleus, which is known as nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion occurs in elements with a low atomic number, such as hydrogen, and is a highly reactive process. Nuclear fusion is the polar opposite of nuclear fission, in which heavy elements diffuse and combine to form lighter elements, as opposed to nuclear fission. Nuclear fusion and fission are both capable of generating enormous amounts of energy.

Nuclear Fusion is defined as follows

Nuclear fusion is defined as the process by which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a single larger and heavier nucleus. Because some of the mass of the fusing nuclei is converted to energy during the reaction, matter is not conserved during the reaction.

When deuterium and tritium fuse together, their constituent elements are recombined to form a helium atom and a fast neutron, which are then released into the atmosphere. After recombining to form a helium atom and a neutron, any excess mass left over is converted into usable kinetic energy by the nuclear reaction that took place.

In order for the nuclear fusion reaction to take place, all of the participating nuclei must be brought together. To achieve this, they should be brought close enough to each other that the nuclear forces become active and bind the nuclei together.

The Presence of Nuclear Fusion in the Universe

Nuclear fusion is responsible for the survival of every star in the universe, including the sun. They generate a tremendous amount of heat and energy as a result of this process, which is described below. The pressure inside the core of any star is extremely high, and it is at this pressure that the nuclear fusion reaction takes place.

Applications of Nuclear Fusion 

When it comes to nuclear fusion reactions, we are still in the experimental phase of development.

Nuclear power fusion is environmentally friendly because there is no combustion, which means there is no air pollution.

Less nuclear waste: Because fusion reactors do not generate high-level nuclear waste, as do their fission counterparts, the disposal of nuclear waste will be less of a problem in the future. Furthermore, unlike waste from fission reactors, which contains weapons-grade nuclear materials, the waste from fusion reactors does not contain such materials.

Nuclear fusion has the potential to be the solution to the world’s energy crisis if it is implemented properly. When compared to fission reactions, it is environmentally friendly and generates a small amount of nuclear waste. Also readily available in nature is the fusion fuel Deuterium and Tritium, which can be used to power nuclear reactors. The hope is that fusion will prove to be an economically viable alternative energy source in the coming centuries.

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is the term used to describe the process by which the nucleus of an atom splits into lighter nuclei as a result of a nuclear reaction. Natural spontaneous splitting by radioactive decay can cause this decay, or it can be simulated in a laboratory environment by achieving the necessary conditions. When the fragments are combined, they tend to have a combined mass that is less than the original. The missing mass is what causes the nuclear energy to be converted into nuclear energy in the preceding reaction. As a result, nuclear fission is defined as follows:

In nuclear physics, the process by which the nucleus of an atom splits into two daughter nuclei is known as nuclear fission.

When an atom of Uranium-235 is bombarded with a neutron, it splits into two lighter nuclei, Barium and Krypton, which are both radioactive.

Illustrations of Nuclear Fission

• The splitting of Uranium-235 is an example of nuclear fission in action. 

• The splitting of Uranium-233 is the other type of nuclear fission that can occur.

• Nuclear fission is demonstrated by the splitting of Plutonium-239.

Conclusion

If two nuclei or nuclear particles collide and produce products that are different from the original nuclei or nuclear particles, this is referred to as a Nuclear Reaction.Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion Reactions are the two types of nuclear reactions that are most commonly encountered.Nuclear fusion is defined as the process by which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a single larger and heavier nucleus.The process by which the nucleus of an atom splits into two daughter nuclei is known as nuclear fission.The splitting of Uranium-235 is an example of nuclear fission in action.