But atoms undergoing nuclear reaction in the impure sample are few and far between, whereas trillions of atoms in the chemical sample simultaneously participate in the chemical reaction. Although a nuclear reaction produces millions of times more energy than a chemical reaction, in some cases the chemical reaction produces much more power over a short period of time. This is why a burning match is hotter than the impure sample of radium. The radium remains warm for thousands of years, the match burns out in a minute or two. These may not be 'Frequently Asked Questions,' but they ought to be, because power and energy are Frequently Confused Concepts.
Power is the rate of energy release at a given instant in time.
Energy is power integrated over time. Power is measured in watts, kilowatts and horsepower. 4.18 joules equal 1 calorie, which is enough energy to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. One BTU equals 1,055 joules. One horsepower equals 746 watts.