Question

How would you compare nuclear fusion, fission and radioactive decay?

Answer 1

Radioactivity is a process in which particles are emitted from unstable nuclei to form a stable atomic nuclei. The radioactive particles are emitted from the nucleus. The particles emitted are alpha rays, gamma rays or beta rays.

Complete answer:
When the nucleus is unstable, the nucleus of the atom exhibits the phenomenon known as radioactivity. When particles are emitted from the unstable nuclei, loss of energy takes place due to radiation. The rate of decay of the nucleus is independent of temperature and pressure.
NUCLEAR FUSION
Nuclear fusion is defined as the process when two or more small atoms are joined together to form large atoms. The amount of energy released during nuclear fusion is very much higher than that of nuclear fission. Large amount of energy is required to combine two or more atoms to form large atoms. This technology is used by many power plant related projects and experiments.
NUCLEAR FISSION
Nuclear fission is defined as the process of splitting a large atom into two or more small atoms. The amount of energy released during nuclear fission is very less as compared with nuclear fusion. It required a very less amount of energy to split one atom into more parts. This technology is used by nuclear power plants to produce energy. It produces substances that are highly radioactive.
RADIOACTIVE DECAY
When the nucleus of unstable atoms loses its energy by the emitting of radiation, this process is known as radioactive decay. There are three types of radioactive decay-
Alpha decay – it is defined as the process in which the atomic nucleus emits alpha particles.
Beta decay- it is defined as the process in which the beta particles are emitted from the nucleus.
Gamma decay- it is defined as the process in which high energy photons are emitted from the nucleus.

Note: You may usually get confused between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. It is very important to know the definition of both of them. The nuclear fusion takes place when two or more atoms are joined together to form large atoms whereas nuclear fission takes place when large atoms disintegrated to form small atoms.