why does fusion or fission give off energy? why dont it just convert to other elements without releasing energ

Answer 1

The answer is very simple, but it is something that is not usually taught in chemistry courses in high school or universities.

There is a release of energy because of the binding energy in the nuclei of atoms. Going from lighter elements to iron-59, there is a progressive release of energy with fusion of the nuclei to form heavier elements. Going from heavier elements down toward iron-59, there is release of energy by fission or the heavier nuclei.

This can be graphed as what is called the packing fraction, with the number of neutrons plus protons along the x-axis, and the apparent mass deficit as the y-coordinate. The packing fraction expresses the fact that there is a mass deficit which represents the energy required to hold the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of the atom.

If you add up the protons and the neutrons, the mass of the nucleus containing those protons and neutrons should equal the sum of the masses of the neutrons plus the protons, but it does not. The actual mass of the nucleus is less than that sum, and that difference is called the packing fraction.

Iron-59 has the lowest packing fraction, and is therefore the most stable of all atomic nuclei. It is the ultimate end-product of both fission and fusion.

Answer 2

Add up the weights of the subatomic particles before and after the reactions.

For example Uranium 235 being struck by a neutron produces Kr 92, Ba 141, and three neutrons. Add up the mass of all those neutrons, protons, and electrons, and you'll find that there is a slight difference in the overall mass. That mass was converted into energy. Since E=mc², that tiny amount of missing mass equals a lot of energy.

Each time there is a fission or fusion reaction, there is slightly less matter in the universe. That matter becomes energy.

Answer 3

Because it does. Matter is nothing more than condensed energy (remember E = mc^2). Therefore, when you split it up, or squash it, you either get energy or expend energy to do it. Iron is the heaviest element you can produce from fusion. Beyond that, you have to add energy to make heavier elements, which is what happens when stars go nova and supernova.
Fission of heavy elements works the same, except in reverse. As long as you are splitting atoms bigger than iron, you get energy out of the reaction. Some, like uranium and plutonium, work easier than others.

Answer 4

nuclei lighter than iron generally have a binding energy that increases with atomic number, while those heavier than iron generally have a binding energy that decreases with atomic number. The difference in energy when fusion/fission occurs is released in the form of kinetic energy and radiation that can be turned into electricity.

Answer 5

Nuclear fusion yields a radiative micromass of light radiation. The micromass of light moves at an average veloctiy which we call "C".
When a mass is given power to move ,we say it has energy.
Elements came into being by a Creation Process. What gives propeties to mass elements is the quantities of mass they contain and how they interact.The mode of interaction is an energy process.

Answer 6

something had to change in either process which both takes energy and releases excess built up energy molecules. the leftovers so to speak.

change requires energy. no action has perfect efficiency. the result is a release of the unneeded energy. simply put.

Answer 7

Wish I knew and I think I'm about to find out because I'm going to be taking chemistry next semester.

Answer 8

idk