Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Nuclear Technology

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Nuclear Technology 1. Fission vs. Fusion One of the most fundamental distinctions in nuclear technology is between fission and fusion. Fission refers to the splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy. On the other hand, fusion involves the merging of two atomic nuclei to form a larger nucleus, also accompanied by the release of energy. While both processes release energy, they differ in their applications and the conditions required for their occurrence. 2. Radioactive vs. Radiated The terms 'radioactive' and 'radiated' are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. 'Radioactive' refers to the property of an element or substance to emit radiation. On the other hand, 'radiated' describes the action of exposing something to radiation. So, while a substance can be radioactive, it needs to be 'radiated' to be exposed to radiation. 3. Isotope vs. Element In nuclear technology, the terms 'isotope' and 'element' are sometimes confused. An element refers to a substance made up of atoms with the same number of protons. Isotopes, on the other hand, are variants of an element that have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons. This difference in neutron count can lead to variations in the isotope's stability and other properties.