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Nuclear Fission
The process by which a heavy nucleus (Z>56) splits into two fragments, releasing energy and neutrons.
Nuclear Fusion
The process in which two nuclei come together to form a larger nucleus, releasing a substantial amount of energy.
Binding Energy
The total energy needed to hold a nucleus together; greater binding energy per nucleon indicates a more stable nuclide.
Chain Reaction
A process where released neutrons from an initial fission event trigger further fission events, leading to a rapid multiplication of reactions.
Uranium-235
A fissile isotope of uranium that can undergo fission when it absorbs a neutron, commonly used in nuclear reactors.
Enrichment
The process of increasing the proportion of uranium-235 in uranium ore to make it suitable for use in nuclear reactors.
Moderator
A material that slows down fast neutrons produced in fission events to increase the probability of further fission in uranium-235.
Control Rods
Materials inserted into a reactor to absorb neutrons and control the rate of the nuclear chain reaction.
Mass Defect
The difference in mass between the reactants and products of a nuclear reaction, which is converted to energy according to E=mc².
Tritium
An isotope of hydrogen with one proton and two neutrons, used in nuclear fusion reactions.
