Sarah LundNuclear ReactionsNuclear reactions are a process that alters the energy, structure, or composition of atomic nuclei. In a reaction two nuclei or nuclear particles collide to produce a product completely different from the original nuclear particles. Although this is an exceptionally rare event, one major reaction involves the collision of 2 particles. In most cases the particles simply collide and separate, this process is known as elastic collision, which is not a nuclear reaction. Confusing and similar to a nuclear reaction, a chemical reaction involves only the electrons of atoms. In a true nuclear reaction only the nucleus of the atom is involved. Nuclear fission may be an unfamiliar term to many, but it is right in front of us every day, powering our daily lives. This is a reaction in which a large nucleus splits into two similar but smaller nuclei. The fission reaction releases a large amount of energy. Nuclei can of course initiate a fission reaction on their own, but only some elements can support a fission reaction chain ei. (Uranium-235 and Plutons...