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nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Diagram showing the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Nuclear fission is used in nuclear reactors to produce energy for electrical power and similar applications. It also was used to create the atomic bomb. Fusion is used to create thermonuclear weapons and holds promise for the production of electricity.
nuclear energy
Also known as: atomic energy, atomic power
- Also called:
- atomic energy
nuclear energy, energy that is released in significant amounts in processes that affect atomic nuclei, the dense cores of atoms. It is distinct from the energy of other atomic phenomena such as ordinary chemical reactions, which involve only the orbital electrons of atoms. One method of releasing nuclear energy is by controlled nuclear fission in devices called reactors, which now operate in many parts of the world for the production of electricity. Another method for obtaining nuclear energy, controlled nuclear fusion, holds promise but has not been perfected by 2020. Nuclear energy has been released explosively by both nuclear fusion ...(100 of 424 words)