NUCLEAR FISSION

Nuclear Fission

Chain Reactions

• ENERGY IS RELEASED IN A NUCLEAR REACTOR because of NUCLEAR FISSION.
  
• NUCLEAR FISSION- nucleus of a fissionable substance that splits into 2 smaller frgaments, releasing energy and 2/3 neutrons.
  
• when the nucleus splits into 2, it causes neutrons from the atom to release neutrons that go onto hit other nuclei to split again, and then from that one neutrons hit other nuclei again= CHAIN REACTION OF FISSION EVENTS.
  
• in a chain reaction-each reaction causes more reactions which cause more reactions.
  

Fission Neutrons

when a nucleus undergoes fission- it releases:

• 2/3 neutrons = "fission neutrons" at high speed.
  
• energy, in the form of RADIATION,
  
•  KINETIC ENERGY of the fission neutrons
  
• and the fragment nuclei.

In a nuclear fission reactor: exactly one fission neutron FROM EACH FISSION EVENT goes onto produce further fission=

this ensures energy is released at a steady rate.

Overall: "nuclear fission occours when a neutron hits a nucleus from atom uranium-235 or a nucleus from plutonium-239 and the nucleus splits...and goes onto produce further fission to release…