Energy generation in stars is due to nuclear fusion.(A) How does nuclear fusion occur?(B) The energy released in nuclear fission process with Uranium is of the order of _________

Here’s the solution to the question:

(A) How does nuclear fusion occur?

Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This occurs under conditions of extremely high temperature and pressure, which are found in the cores of stars.

In stars, hydrogen nuclei (protons) collide with each other at very high speeds due to the intense heat, overcoming their electrostatic repulsion (since they are both positively charged). When these protons come close enough, the strong nuclear force takes over, binding them together to form a heavier nucleus, such as helium. This process releases energy, as the mass of the resulting nucleus is slightly less than the sum of the masses of the original particles. The difference in mass is converted into energy according to Einstein’s equation, E = mc².

This fusion process continues in stars, with heavier elements being formed over time through a series of fusion reactions.

(B) The energy released in nuclear fission process with Uranium is of the order of _________

The energy released in the nuclear fission of Uranium is of the order of 200 MeV (million electron volts) per fission event. This energy is released as kinetic energy of the fission fragments, energy in the form of gamma rays, and the release of neutrons that can cause further fission reactions in a chain reaction. This process is used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.