nuclear fission
Splitting heavy atoms
Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller parts, releasing enormous energy.
This process powers nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.
When a heavy atom like uranium absorbs a neutron, it becomes unstable and splits, releasing more neutrons that can trigger a chain reaction.
The discovery of nuclear fission transformed both energy production and warfare.
Element ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- neutronsUncharged subatomic particles
- isotopesAtomic number twins
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
chain reaction · cross section · radioactive decay · transmutation · actinides · transuranic elements · antineutrinos · gamma rays
Controlled fission apparatus
- electricity generationCreating electrical current industrially
- fuel rodsEncased fissile material tubes
- control rodsNeutron-absorbing reactor components
- coolantTemperature-regulating fluid
moderator · steam turbine · generator · megawatts · reactor core · breeder reactor · pressurized water · boiling water
Fission-triggered mass destruction device
- hydrogen bombThermonuclear fusion weapon
- warheadMunition's explosive section
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
blast radius · enrichment · proliferation · criticality · implosion · kiloton · megaton · arms race
Energy propagation through space
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- disposalAct of throwing away
- storageSpace for keeping goods
shielding · exposure · radioactivity · cesium · strontium · iodine-131 · environmental impact · health effects
uranium
Element ninety-two
critical mass · chain reaction · cross section · radioactive decay · transmutation · actinides · transuranic elements · antineutrinos · gamma rays · subcritical
reactor
Controlled fission apparatus
- electricity generationCreating electrical current industrially
- fuel rodsEncased fissile material tubes
- control rodsNeutron-absorbing reactor components
coolant · moderator · steam turbine · generator · megawatts · reactor core · breeder reactor · pressurized water · boiling water · meltdown
atomic bomb
Fission-triggered mass destruction device
- hydrogen bombThermonuclear fusion weapon
- warheadMunition's explosive section
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
fallout · blast radius · enrichment · proliferation · criticality · implosion · kiloton · megaton · arms race · deterrence
radiation
Energy propagation through space
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- disposalAct of throwing away
storage · shielding · exposure · radioactivity · cesium · strontium · iodine-131 · environmental impact · health effects · remediation
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity
- scientific phrasesbig bang, black hole, natural selection, climate change, genetic code
- 20th century inventionsTV, radio, television, telephone, airplane
- discoveriesbreakthrough, scientific discovery, finding, uncovering, detection
- energy sourcesoil, gas, coal, solar, wind
nuclear fissionnuclear fusion
Atoms joining, releasing power
fusion · thermonuclear fusion · hydrogen fusion · nucleosynthesis
nuclear fissionsolar power
Energy derived from sunlight
renewable energy · hydroelectric power · wind power · geothermal energy
nuclear, nucleus, fission, nucleotide, nucleic, nucleate, fissile, nucleotides, fissioning