In what way are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion similar

## Step 1: This question asks about the similarities between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Nuclear fission is a process where a heavy nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, along with some by-products. On the other hand, nuclear fusion involves the combination of light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus.## Step 2: Option A describes nuclear fission, but not nuclear fusion. Option B describes nuclear fusion, but not nuclear fission. ## Step 3: Option D states that both processes involve the creation of new elements. While this is true, it is not the most fundamental similarity between the two processes. ## Step 4: Option C states that both processes involve the release of energy. This is the most fundamental similarity between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. In both processes, energy is released due to the conversion of mass into energy, according to Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle, , where is energy, is mass, and is the speed of light.