Nuclear reactions release immense amounts of energy from "summary" of Atoms Under the Floorboards by Chris Woodford
Nuclear reactions are a force to be reckoned with. When atoms split apart or join together, they release an incredible amount of energy. This energy is what powers the sun, drives our nuclear power plants, and even fuels devastating atomic bombs. The key to understanding this phenomenal energy release lies in the heart of the atom itself. At the center of every atom is a nucleus, made up of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons. The strong nuclear force holds these particles together, but it's a delicate balance. When certain atoms, like uranium or plutonium, undergo a process called fission, their nuclei split into smaller fragments, releasing a massive amount of energy in the process. This energy is what makes nuclear reactors hum with power. On the flip side, when atoms like hydrogen or helium fuse together, they form heavier elements and release even more energy. This process, known as fusion, is what powers the sun and other stars in the universe. The incredible temperatures and pressures inside stars are what enable these fusion reactions to occur, creating the life-giving light and heat that sustains us here on Earth. In both fission and fusion reactions, a tiny amount of mass is converted into a tremendous amount of energy, as described in Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2. This energy is released in the form of heat and light, and it can be harnessed for a variety of purposes, from generating electricity to creating powerful weapons of mass destruction. The immense power of nuclear reactions is both a blessing and a curse, capable of both improving and destroying life as we know it.
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