Fusion occurs when two small nuclei join together to create one large nucleus or particle, and during this process, energy is released in the form of light and heat An example is in the Sun, hydrogen nuclei fuse (combine) together to make helium nuclei which releases energy.
Fission- occurs when the nucleus of one big atom splits into 2 new atoms and a tremendous amount of energy is released in the form of light an heat. (nuclear reactor or interior of the earth, uranium nuclei split apart causing energy to be released)
Some of the matter making up the nuclei is converted into energy
E= mc^2
Energy = mass X (Speed of light)^2
Indicated that energy intrinsically stored in matter at rest equals its mass times the speed of light squared
Suggests that an incredibly huge amount of energy is released when a small amount of matter is converted to energy
Radiation
Energy radiated or transmitted in the form of rays waves or particles
Examples
Visible light that can be seen by naked eye
Infared radiation
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) that cannot be ssen with naked eye
Long wave radiation such as tv waves and radio waves
Very short waves such as x-rays and gamma rays
Electromagnetic radiation
--Energy from sun that comes to earth in this form
--A type of energy that oscillates side to side and is coupled with electric and magnetic fields that travel freely through space
--composed of photons or particles of light which are sometimes referred to as packets of energy
-- photons like all particles have properties of waves
photons are created when electorns jump to lower energy levels in atoms and absorbed when electrons jump to higher levels. Photons are also created when a charged particle such as an electron or proton is accelerated
--example is radio transmitter antenna that generates radio waves
