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What is nuclear fission?

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Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of energy.

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What is nuclear fusion?

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Nuclear fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process.

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How do nuclear power plants generate energy?

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Nuclear power plants generate energy through the process of fission, where the splitting of atomic nuclei releases heat, which is used to produce steam that drives turbines.

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What happens to the mass during nuclear fission?

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During nuclear fission, the mass of the products is less than the mass of the original nucleus due to the conversion of mass into energy.

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What happens to the mass during nuclear fusion?

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During nuclear fusion, the mass of the products is greater than the mass of the original nuclei, as some mass is converted into energy.

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What is a common example of nuclear fission?

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A common example of nuclear fission is the reaction that occurs in nuclear reactors, such as the fission of Uranium-235.

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What is a common example of nuclear fusion?

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A common example of nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun, where hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium.

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What is the role of neutrons in nuclear fission?

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Neutrons initiate the fission process by colliding with the nucleus of an atom, causing it to become unstable and split.

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What is the role of temperature in nuclear fusion?

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High temperatures are required for nuclear fusion to occur, as they provide the energy needed to overcome the repulsive forces between positively charged nuclei.

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What is half-life in the context of nuclear reactions?

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Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay, which is relevant in both fission and fusion processes.