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nuclear fission, subdivision of a heavy atomic nucleus, such as that of uranium or plutonium, into two fragments of roughly equal mass. The process is accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy.
Nuclear fission - Atomic Reactions, Energy Release, Chain Reactions: The fission process may be best understood through a consideration of the structure and stability of nuclear matter. Nuclei consist of nucleons (neutrons and protons), the total number of which is equal to the mass number of the nucleus. The actual mass of a nucleus is always ...
nuclear fission, Division of a heavy atomic nucleus into two fragments of roughly equal mass, accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy, the binding energy of the subatomic particles.
Nuclear fission is a complex process that involves the rearrangement of hundreds of nucleons in a single nucleus to produce two separate nuclei. A complete theoretical understanding of this reaction would require a detailed knowledge of the forces involved in the motion of each of the nucleons through the process.
Nuclear fission - Stages, Reactions, Energy: A pictorial representation of the sequence of events in the fission of a heavy nucleus is given in Figure 3. The approximate time elapse between stages of the process is indicated at the bottom of the Figure.
Nuclear fission is used in nuclear reactors to produce energy for electrical power and similar applications. It also was used to create the atomic bomb. Fusion is used to create thermonuclear weapons and holds promise for the production of electricity.
A nuclear weapon is a device designed to release energy in an explosive manner as a result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or a combination of the two. Fission weapons are commonly referred to as atomic bombs, and fusion weapons are referred to as thermonuclear bombs or, more commonly, hydrogen bombs.
1. physics : a process in which the nucleus of a heavy atom is split apart. A large amount of energy is released when fission occurs. — called also nuclear fission. — compare fusion. 2. biology : a kind of reproduction in which a cell or body divides into two or more parts and each part grows into a whole new individual.
Fusion reactions between light elements, like fission reactions that split heavy elements, release energy because of a key feature of nuclear matter called the binding energy, which can be released through fusion or fission.
The energy released by the fission or the fusion of nuclei, in the form of heat, light, or other radiation, is called nuclear energy. Like energy from any other source, nuclear energy can be used to do work.