In nuclear
chemistry fusion reactions as well as fission reactions are important aspects. Fusion
reactions are reactions in which two or more nuclei combine to form an element
with a higher atomic number. Fusion reactions release heat. In order to have a
fusion reaction occur the nuclei of the elements have to be brought very close
so that the nuclear force commences.
Fusion reactions most likely occur in an environment with high density. This
information could be used in our biodome to keep it warm and the people living
in it safe. Also other elements could be formed that are needed to survive.
Fission
reactions are reactions in which the nucleus of an atom is split. This process
works by using an isotope and besieging it with a smaller one that usually turns
out to be a neutron. The collision causes the bigger isotope to break into two
or more parts. This type of reaction also releases energy. The energy could be
used to produce electricity in order to operate machines and electric devices.
A big
problem and concern with nuclear energy is that the radiation that is
produced is harmful for the human body. As a result the people who live in our
biodome would have a higher risk of cancer.
Our first
choice of energy would have been solar energy because it would be almost steady
and safer than most other resources but the moon Ganymede doesn’t get a lot of
sun which would make this choice very inefficient. Our second choice is nuclear
energy. We want to use it without harming our citizens and will have to take an
expert with us that can perform the process safely. In order to be able to get
the power to run our biodome easily we will have to take a generator with us
that can provide the power that is needed to perform the process of fission.
This is because fission is performed most easily within an environment of high
temperature and high density.
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