Part INuclear fission and nuclear fusion.Both fission and fusion use atoms, particularly neutrons and protons, to generate energy. Protons and neutrons make up the nucleus of an atom, therefore the mass, which is converted into energy, but fission and fusion are two different ways of harnessing that energy. In a fission reaction, the nucleus of an atom is split. Neutrons are released, forming nuclear energy, and the remaining nuclei are lighter.1 Think of fission a bit like cracking open a nut shell, such as a pistachio. When you apply pressure and force to break the shell, it breaks in two and the pieces may fly away. Similarly, when atoms are separated, they break in two and neutrons fly away, releasing energy. In a fusion, the nuclei of two atoms join together to create a much heavier nucleus.1 The two atoms collide and together form a new atom while releasing neutrons as energy. Imagine it as if two cars collided head-on. When they collide, they stick together (not forming a new atom like in nuclear fusion, but let's pretend) and when they crash, part of the bumper flies off. Atoms collide and neutrons, like the bumper, fly away in the form of energy.1: UC Davis, ChemWiki: The Dynamic Chemistry E-Textbook, Fission and Fusion.Photo: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/cold- fusion-the-controversy-plus-the-pros-cons/ https://sites.google.com/a/siprep.org/physics-nuclear-war-project/home/part-10 Part IIPhET Nuclear Physics Simulation" Fission: a nucleus”The trigger for fission is the introduction of another neutron.“Chain reaction”A nuclear chain reaction is a series of atoms undergoing fission. This happens because when a neutron is introduced into the… middle of paper ...... of nuclear weapons, because that's how the Cold War began. And the Cold War led to the depression of this nation and damaged not only our nation, but also the world it opened my eyes to the dangers and uses of nuclear energy and gave me insights into the policies and terms associated with nuclear energy in general. Nuclear energy is beautiful and powerful, but it is also destructive and dangerous and, in the wrong hands, deadly. Our world needs nuclear energy, but it could be destroyed by nuclear weapons. There is give and take, light and darkness, and nuclear energy is no exception. What we need is caution, knowledge of nuclear energy, and a plan for the future. This project has given me these things, now I have to go out and make the world a better place.1: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/20/us-northkorea-nuclear-idUSBREA4J06020140520