nuclear fission

• binary fission:

  -neutron fired into unstable nucleus

  -splits into 2 daughter nuclei and some neutrons

  -chain reaction
• nuclear fusion is not a chain reaction and can produce energy
• in nuclear fusion:

  2 light nuclei are fused together to form a heavier nucleus
• neutrons released in nuclear fission move at high speeds so a moderator is used to slow them down so they can be absorbed by the uranium
• when there are too many neutrons rods are lowered to absorb them so that they do not cause too many chain reactions
• too many chain reactions can cause nuclear explosions
• control rods absorb neutrons to reduce number of fissions
• What is a neutron absorbed by?

  A uranium nucleus
• What happens to a uranium nucleus when a neutron is absorbed?

  It splits into two parts
• describe the process of nuclear fission

  -neutron absorbed by a uranium nucleus

  -nucleus spilts into 2 parts

  -and 2/3 neutrons are released

  -and gamma rays emitted