Nuclear Fission

• What is nuclear fission?

  The splitting of a nucleus into smaller nuclei
• What is a chain reaction in nuclear fission?

  A process where emitted neutrons trigger more fissions
• How can nuclear fission be controlled?

  By using control rods in a nuclear reactor
• What happens in uncontrolled nuclear fission?

  It leads to an explosion in a nuclear weapon
• What elements are commonly involved in nuclear fission?

  Uranium and plutonium
• What occurs when a uranium nucleus absorbs a neutron?

  It triggers the nucleus to undergo fission
• What are the products of nuclear fission?

  Two smaller nuclei, neutrons, and gamma radiation
• What is the significance of the neutrons emitted during fission?

  They can trigger further fission reactions
• How does nuclear fusion differ from nuclear fission?

  Fusion combines light nuclei, while fission splits heavy nuclei
• How is energy generated in nuclear reactors?

  • Controlled fission reactions
  • Neutrons absorbed by control rods
  • Heat produced is used to generate electricity
• What are the differences between controlled and uncontrolled nuclear fission?

  Controlled fission:

  • Used in nuclear reactors
  • Energy is harnessed for electricity

  
  

  Uncontrolled fission:

  • Leads to nuclear explosions
  • Occurs in nuclear weapons
• What are the key concepts of nuclear fission and fusion?

  • Nuclear fission: splitting of heavy nuclei
  • Chain reaction: emitted neutrons trigger further fissions
  • Controlled fission: used in nuclear reactors
  • Uncontrolled fission: leads to nuclear explosions
  • Nuclear fusion: combining light nuclei to form heavier nuclei
  • Energy release: occurs in both processes, but differently
• What are the main products of nuclear fission?

  • Two smaller nuclei (daughter nuclei)
  • Two or three emitted neutrons
  • Gamma radiation
  • Kinetic energy from fission products