Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is a process by which a large, unstable nucleus splits into two smaller ones, releasing a large amount of energy.

Understanding Nuclear Fission

• Nuclear fission involves the splitting of a heavy nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei, often accompanied by the emission of neutrons.
• This process releases a significant amount of energy, which is much greater than that obtained from chemical reactions.
• The fission process can occur spontaneously. However, it is usually induced by a nucleus absorbing a neutron, commonly referred to as neutron-induced fission.

Fission Chain Reactions

• A key feature of nuclear fission is that it can trigger a chain reaction.
• This is because the fission of one nucleus can produce neutrons that induce the fission of other nuclei. This process can continue, leading to a rapidly increasing reaction rate and energy release.
• Control rods made of materials that absorb neutrons are utilised in nuclear reactors to control the rate of the chain reaction.

Energy in Nuclear Fission

• Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc^2) explains the source of the energy released during nuclear fission.
• In this process, there’s a small loss in the total mass of the particles involved and this lost mass is converted into a significant amount of energy.

Applications of Nuclear Fission

• The most significant application of nuclear fission is in nuclear power reactors, where the energy released from fission is used to generate electricity.
• Despite the potential for generating large amounts of sustainable energy, nuclear fission has significant risks including radioactive waste and potential catastrophic reactor failures.

Remember, a solid understanding of nuclear fission can help you understand nuclear power generation, which is key to our world’s energy future. As always, it’s important to understand the scientific principles, but also the practical applications and their impact on society and the environment.