The difference between the amount of energy released in chemical reactions and nuclear reactions is HUGE!! Basically, the amount of energy released in chemical reactions is a peanut, where the amount of energy released in a nuclear reaction is an elephant. In chemical equations, there are two types, exothermic and endothermic. Exothermic- energy is released and endothermic- energy is absorbed. Where as in nuclear fission, the atoms nucleus splits apart. A tremendous amount of energy is released and the types of energy released are both heat and light energy. When it is let out slowly, it is harnessed to generate electricity. When it is let out quickly, a tremendous explosion occurs, such as in an atomic bomb. And in nuclear fusion, things are given off such as heat and light, and other radiation.
The energy generated by the fusion of hydrogen 2 in one gallon of water would almost equal the same amount of energy generated by the chemical change of burning 300 gallons of gasoline!
