Fission vs. Fusion: What's the Difference?
Provided by: U.S. Department of Energy|Published on: June 29, 2022
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Physics
Authors: U.S. Department of Energy
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This short video uses animations and text to highlight the differences between nuclear fission and fusion.
- Students will learn the differences between the physical processes, fuel type, byproducts, various uses, and the amount of energy that each nuclear reaction produces.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- With simple visuals and explanations, this video is appropriate for a wide range of audiences and ages.
- There is no audio other than music for this video.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should already have a basic understanding of nuclear energy.
- It may be helpful for students to have some knowledge about nuclear fission before learning about nuclear fusion.
Differentiation
- This video could be a helpful resource for students who are researching current and future innovations in clean energy.
- Chemistry classes could discuss why uranium and plutonium are the elements that are used for fission and why hydrogen is the best element for fusion.
- Pair this resource with this video on the basics of nuclear fission, this video about how nuclear energy works, and this lesson on nuclear energy.
The resource compares the differences between nuclear fission and fusion in terms of the amount of energy they can produce, the fuel type, byproducts, and usage. This is insightful and recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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