fission reaction
Nuclear division process
A fission reaction is a nuclear process in which a heavy atomic nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing enormous amounts of energy.
This occurs when neutrons strike atoms of fissile material like uranium-235 or plutonium-239, causing them to become unstable and break apart while emitting additional neutrons that can trigger further reactions.
Fission reactions power nuclear reactors and atomic weapons.
The chain reaction in fission reactions must be carefully controlled to prevent meltdown.
- radioactive falloutContaminated particles descending post-blast
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
- Manhattan ProjectClandestine atomic weapons program
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- nuclear decaySpontaneous atomic transformation
isotope · atomic pile · meltdown · Three Mile Island · uranium-235 · plutonium-239 · weapons grade · Enrico Fermi · critical mass · Chernobyl disaster · waste disposal · fuel rod · nuclear waste · energy output · spent fuel · radiation shielding · gamma radiation · cooling system
fission reactionfusion reaction
Nuclei combining into heavier elements
nuclear fusion · fusion · thermonuclear fusion · hydrogen fusion · atomic fusion
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