Out of two elements A and B with mass number 2 and 235 respectively which one is suitable for making : (a) a nuclear reactor (b) a hydrogen bomb. Name the nuclear reaction involved in each case. Write the difference between the two types of nuclear reactions.

i. For a nuclear reactor— element ‘B’ with mass number 235 is suitable as a fuel.

ii. For a hydrogen bomb— element ‘A’ with mass number 2 is suitable.

The nuclear reaction involved in

(a) nuclear reactor is nuclear fission reaction.
Nuclear Fission is defined as the process in which a large nucleus breaks into two smaller nuclei and releases a large amount of energy.

Example:

²³⁵₉₂U + ¹₀n → ⁹⁰₃₈Sr + ¹⁴³₅₄Xe + 3¹₀n

(b) nuclear bomb is nuclear fusion reaction.

Nuclear fusion is defined as the process in which two smaller nuclei fuse or joint together to form one nucleus and release a large amount of energy