Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2538 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Twin: Nuclear Fusion
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The idea
Nuclear fusion combines light nuclei into a heavier one, releasing energy: the product sits higher on the binding curve.
In practice
Two heavy-hydrogen nuclei fusing into helium and a neutron release energy since helium's binding energy exceeds the starting nuclei's.
Where people slip
Fission and fusion are not opposite reactions on one nucleus — each favors its side of the curve's peak, heavy fission, light fusion.
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