ABSTRACT
Nuclear processes involve incredible amounts of energy, on a mole-to-mole basis, compared to chemical processes. Fusion, the combination of lighter nuclides into heavier nuclides, occurred during the big bang (big bang nucleosynthesis), is occurring in stars (stellar nucleosynthesis), and occurs during supernovae. Fission, the fragmentation of a larger nuclide into small nuclides, occurs for heavy nuclides and is typically initiated with a neutron. This is the source of energy in nuclear technology (nuclear plants and weapons). In this chapter, readers are given a broad sweep of history as to the origin of elements (nucleosynthesis). The big bang is presented along with recent discoveries of s- and r-processes associated with supernovae and kilonovae. Attention is then given to the historical development and evolution of nuclear technology during World War II as a means of understanding the context of fission and its ongoing ramifications and importance for the world today. The chapter closes with some reflections on the use and consequences of the development of nuclear weapons.
