How is nuclear fission different from nuclear fusion and what are the key distinctions between the two processes?

Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are both processes that release energy from atoms, but they are different in how they work.

Nuclear fission involves splitting a heavy atom into smaller atoms, releasing energy in the process. This is how nuclear power plants generate electricity.

Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, involves combining light atoms to form a heavier atom, also releasing energy. This is the process that powers the sun and other stars.

The key distinction between the two processes is that fission involves splitting atoms, while fusion involves combining them. Fission typically produces radioactive waste, while fusion produces helium as a byproduct. Fusion also requires extremely high temperatures and pressures to occur, making it more difficult to achieve than fission.