Fusion vs Fission

Nuclear fusion and fission are two processes that release energy from atomic nuclei. Fusion occurs when light atomic nuclei, like hydrogen, combine to form a heavier nucleus, such as helium, releasing vast amounts of energy. This process powers the sun and other stars. Fission, on the other hand, involves splitting a heavy nucleus, like uranium or plutonium, into lighter nuclei, along with energy and additional neutrons. This is the principle behind nuclear reactors and atomic bombs. Both processes harness nuclear energy, but they operate on different principles and have distinct applications.