Thanks to the University of California, Berkeley for the picture. Scientists have been working on controlling nuclear fusion for a long time, trying to make a fusion reactor to produce electricity. But they have been having trouble learning how to control the reaction in a contained space. What's better about nuclear fusion is that it creates less radioactive material than fission, and its supply of fuel can last longer than the sun. You can learn more about nuclear fusion by visiting other locations on the Internet.
Nuclear fission means splitting an atom apart.
Splitting an atom releases heat and light energy. In a nuclear power plant, an atomic chain reaction is controlled to produce heat to boil water. That water boils water in pipes to make steam to turn a turbine and a generator to make electricity. Nuclear fusion means combines atomic nuclei to make a larger nucleus. The sun uses nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium to make light and heat energy.