Which term describes the process of two nuclei combining to form a heavier nucleus?

Which term describes the process of two nuclei combining to form a heavier nucleus?

• A. Fission
• B. Radioactive decay
• C. Fusion
• D. Transmutation

Answer: (C)

Fusion is the process by which two atomic nuclei come close enough for the strong nuclear force to bind them into a single, heavier nucleus. This requires very high temperatures or pressures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged nuclei. When fusion occurs, the resulting nucleus is typically more tightly bound per nucleon, and the excess mass is released as energy (mass defect). This power source drives stars and is a major area of research for potential energy on Earth. It’s different from fission, which splits a heavy nucleus into lighter ones; from radioactive decay, which is the spontaneous breakdown of an unstable nucleus with emission of radiation; and from transmutation, which is the general change of one element into another through nuclear reactions (fusion being one specific way to achieve such a change by combining nuclei). A classic example is hydrogen nuclei fusing to form helium in the sun, releasing a large amount of energy.

Fusion is the process by which two atomic nuclei come close enough for the strong nuclear force to bind them into a single, heavier nucleus. This requires very high temperatures or pressures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged nuclei. When fusion occurs, the resulting nucleus is typically more tightly bound per nucleon, and the excess mass is released as energy (mass defect). This power source drives stars and is a major area of research for potential energy on Earth. It’s different from fission, which splits a heavy nucleus into lighter ones; from radioactive decay, which is the spontaneous breakdown of an unstable nucleus with emission of radiation; and from transmutation, which is the general change of one element into another through nuclear reactions (fusion being one specific way to achieve such a change by combining nuclei). A classic example is hydrogen nuclei fusing to form helium in the sun, releasing a large amount of energy.