Nuclear fission

• What is nuclear fission?

  Splitting of large unstable nuclei
• What happens during nuclear fission?

  It releases energy and smaller nuclei
• How many ways can nuclear fission occur?

  Two ways
• What are the two ways nuclear fission can occur?

  Spontaneously or by absorbing a neutron
• Why is spontaneous fission rare?

  It happens unforced and by itself
• What is used to start the fission process in reactors?

  Neutrons
• What does adding a neutron to a nucleus do?

  Makes it less stable
• What are the smaller nuclei produced from fission called?

  Daughter nuclei
• What is released during nuclear fission besides daughter nuclei?

  Two or three more neutrons and energy
• What form of energy is released during fission?

  Gamma radiation
• How does a chain reaction occur in nuclear fission?

  First fission triggers more fissions
• What can happen if the fission process is uncontrolled?

  It can release huge amounts of energy
• What is used to control the rate of fission in reactors?

  Control rods
• How do control rods work in a nuclear reactor?

  They absorb neutrons to slow down reactions
• What is the purpose of the energy released from fission?

  To heat water and turn it into steam
• What do steam turbines drive in a nuclear power plant?

  Electricity generator
• What are the pros and cons of nuclear energy?

  Pros:

  • Cheap uranium or plutonium fuel
  • Produces large, steady energy
  • Clean, no greenhouse gases

  
  

  Cons:

  • Expensive to build power plants
  • Costly nuclear waste disposal
  • Risk of major disasters
• Why is nuclear energy considered clean?

  It doesn't produce greenhouse gases
• What is a major risk associated with nuclear power plants?

  Malfunction leading to disasters