Fission

• Nuclear Fission = the splitting up of big atomic nuclei
• Nuclear fission occurs when a nucleus absorbs a neutron and becomes unstable, so splits
• Nuclear fission may lead to a chain reaction, as each time a nucleus splits, it releases 2 or 3 neutrons
• Nuclear power stations use nuclear fission to generate electricity, as it releases lots of energy
• Control rods are used in nuclear power plants to stop the chain reaction of nuclear fission, as they absorb the neutrons