Nuclear Fission and Fusion

What’s nuclear fission?

When a large unstable nucleus absorbs an extra neutron and splits into smaller nuclei of roughly equal size.

What happens during nuclear fission?

Gamma radiation’s emitted and energy’s released and 2 or 3 neutrons are emitted that can go to cause a chain reaction.

What’s the chain reaction in a power station reactor controlled by?

Absorbing neutrons.

What are nuclear explosions?

Uncontrolled chain reactions.

What’s spontaneous fission?

On rare occasions an unstable nucleus splits apart without absorbing a neutron.

What’s nuclear fusion?

When 2 light nuclei join to make a heavier one.

What’s some of the mass for nuclear fusion converted to?

Energy and transferred as radiation.