Certainly! Here is a clear and concise answer to the question:
The best choice that contrasts nuclear fission and nuclear fusion is:
- Fission is the splitting of large nuclei & fusion joining of small nuclei.
Explanation:
1. **Nuclear Fission**:
- In nuclear fission, a large nucleus is split into smaller nuclei by bombarding it with neutrons. This process releases a large amount of energy.
- Example: A common fission reaction involves the splitting of Uranium-235 into Barium and Krypton nuclei.
2. **Nuclear Fusion**:
- Nuclear fusion involves the joining of small nuclei to form a larger nucleus. This process also releases a significant amount of energy.
- Example: The fusion reaction that powers the sun involves hydrogen nuclei (protons) combining to form helium nuclei.
By understanding these distinctions, you can grasp how nuclear fission and fusion differ in terms of the nuclei involved and the processes that take place.
