Nuclear fission
Jonny Nelson introduces an animated explanation of fission and fusion
Some atomic Nuclei is the plural of nucleus. The nucleus is the central part of an atom. It contains protons and neutrons, and has most of the mass of the atom. are unstable. They may split to form smaller nuclei and other particles. This process is called The splitting of a large nucleus to produce two smaller ones. Two or three neutrons are also released in the process. The energy from the neutrons powers a nuclear reactor..
Nuclear fission does not happen by itself very often. It is more likely to occur if:
- the The central part of an atom. It contains protons and neutrons, and has most of the mass of the atom. The plural of nucleus is nuclei. is relatively large, such as the nucleus of a uranium The smallest part of an element that can exist.
- the nucleus absorbs a Uncharged subatomic particle, with a mass of 1 relative to a proton. The relative charge of a neutron is 0.
Nucleus fission is used in A piece of equipment in which nuclear fission or fusion takes place.. The nuclear fuel contains unstable uranium Atoms of an element with the same number of protons and electrons but different numbers of neutrons..
When a uranium nucleus is hit by a neutron, it splits to form two smaller nuclei. Up to three more neutrons are released in the process. These can go on to hit other uranium nuclei, causing them to split too. This process is called a A nuclear chain reaction occurs when a neutron splits a nucleus, releasing more neutrons, which in turn go on to split even more nuclei..
The Energy carried by particles from a radioactive substance, or spreading out from a source. released by nuclear fission may be hazardous. Energy in radiation is transferred to the surroundings during nuclear fission, and is transferred by heating as well.
In a A thermal power plant where the heat source is a nuclear reactor., this is used to turn water into steam, which then turns Revolving machine with blades that are turned by wind, water or steam. Turbines in a power station turn the generators. connected to electrical Device that converts kinetic energy into electrical energy.. Much more energy is transferred by a nuclear fuel during nuclear fission than is transferred by the same mass of chemical fuel during A reaction where fuels are burned in oxygen. Complete combustion occurs when fuels are burned in a plentiful supply of oxygen or air. .
It would be dangerous to allow a chain reaction to run out of control. This is how an A powerful and destructive bomb that gets its power from the energy released when atoms are split. works. In a nuclear reactor, the chain reaction is controlled by 鈥榗ontrol rods鈥. These slow down or absorb some of the neutrons.