Nuclear Reactions

• The mass of the visible universe is 73% H2 and 25% He. The remaining 2%, “heavy” elements, have atomic masses >4.

• The “heavy” elements are formed at very high temperatures (T>106 oC) by FUSION, i.e. nuclei combining to form new elements.

• There is an upper limit to the production of heavy nuclei at A=92, Uranium.

• Heavy nuclei split to lighter ones by FISSION

© Copyright 1994-2002 R.J. Rusay

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