3 to Choose From Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

3 to Choose From - Essay Example The recent nuclear energy agreement (1-2-3 agreement) signed between India and America is the best example for the interests in nuclear energy by developing countries like India. Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are the two scientific processes used to liberate energy from the nucleus of an atom. Both these processes have its scientific base in the famous relativity theory formulated by the well known scientist Einstein. The equation E = mc2 (E-energy, m- mass of the matter and v – velocity of light) formulated by Einstein serves as the base for these two processes nuclear fission and fusion. Through this equation Einstein established that matter can be converted to energy and vice versa. Nuclear fission is a process of splitting up of a heavy nucleus by a fast moving neutron. Mostly one of the isotopes of Uranium, U235 is used for the fission purpose. When U235 is bombarded with a neutron, it will be accepted by the U235 nucleus and becomes U236. But U236 is This reaction was first studied by Enrico Fermi and his colleagues. But they failed to interpret the results properly. They could not identify the reason for the formation of two new elements when Uranium nucleus was bombarded with a neutron. But German scientists Otto Hann and Fritz Strassmann were successful in explaining the process. They have concluded that â€Å"if a massive nucleus like uranium-235 breaks apart (fissions), then there will be a net yield of energy because the sum of the masses of the fragments will be less than the mass of the uranium nucleus.† (Nuclear Fission) Nuclear fusion is the reverse process of nuclear fission. Here two light nuclei were combined to form a single heavier nucleus. It is a process in which both energy absorption as well as energy liberation takes place. It occurs naturally at stars. The Sun is able to produce huge amount of heat only because of the fusion reaction happening in it. Unlike