Types of Nuclear Reactions

Nuclear Fusion:

Nuclear fusion is a nuclear phenomenon or reaction where two or more light nuclei combine, at high temperatures, to form a heavier nucleus with the release of a large amount of energyEnergy is the ability to do work. Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light, potential energy, and electrical energy. Units of Energy: The SI unit... More. E.g.

\( \scriptsize \underset{deuterium}{ _{1} ^{2} \textrm {H}} \: + \: \underset{tritium}{_{1} ^{3} \textrm {H}} \: \rightarrow \: \underset{helium} {_{2} ^{4} \textrm {He}} \: + \: \underset{neutron}{_{0} ^{1} \textrm {n}} \: + \: energy \)

Nuclear fusion is responsible for the production of energy in stars. In stars, the immense pressures and temperatures in the core causes hydrogen atoms together to squeeze together to form helium. This process releases energy that heats the star and prevents it from collapsing under gravity.

Also, Solar energy is created by nuclear fusion that takes place in the sun.

Nuclear Fission: 

This is the breaking up of the nucleus of a heavy atom or element