E = mc²
Where:
* E is energy
* m is mass
* c is the speed of light
This equation shows that mass and energy are equivalent and can be converted into each other.
Here's how it works in nuclear reactions:
1. Nuclear Fusion: In fusion, lighter nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy because the mass of the resulting nucleus is slightly less than the combined mass of the original nuclei. The "missing" mass has been converted into energy.
2. Nuclear Fission: In fission, a heavy nucleus is split into lighter nuclei. Again, the total mass of the products is less than the mass of the original nucleus. The mass difference is released as energy.
Examples:
* The Sun: The Sun's energy comes from nuclear fusion, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium.
* Nuclear Power Plants: These plants use fission of uranium to generate electricity.
Important Note: The amount of energy released in a nuclear reaction is incredibly large compared to chemical reactions. This is because the binding energy holding the nucleus together is much stronger than the forces holding atoms together in molecules.
