Physics: Energy from the nucleus

Energy from the nucleus

Nuclear fission:

• Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus
• There are two fissionable isotopes in common use in nuclear reactors, uranium-235 and plutonium-239. The majority of nuclear reactors use uranium-235
• Naturally occuring uranium is mostly uranium-238, which is not-fissionable. Most nuclear reactors use 'enriched' uranium that contains 2-3% uranium-235

• For fission to…