Energy from the nucleus

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.