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Physics vocabulary · Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Nuclear fission

Meaning in physics, with examples

nounCommon term

In physics, nuclear fission means: The splitting of a heavy nucleus, such as uranium-235, into two smaller nuclei, usually after it absorbs a neutron. It releases a large amount of energy and more neutrons.

In Turkish: çekirdek bölünmesi, fisyon, nükleer fisyon

How it is used

The released neutrons can cause further fissions, producing a chain reaction. In nuclear power stations, control rods absorb neutrons to keep the reaction steady. The energy comes from a small loss of mass, given by E = mc².

Example sentences

  1. Each nuclear fission of uranium-235 releases about 200 MeV of energy.

  2. The reactor uses nuclear fission to heat water and produce steam.

Common collocations

  • chain reaction
  • control rods
  • fission reactor
  • induced fission
  • fission products
  • nuclear fusionThe joining of two light nuclei, such as isotopes of hydrogen, to form a heavier nucleus. It releases huge amounts of energy and is what powers the Sun and other stars.
  • nucleusThe very small, dense centre of an atom, made of protons and neutrons. It contains almost all of the atom's mass and all of its positive charge.
  • isotopeOne of two or more forms of the same element whose atoms have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes behave the same chemically but have different masses.
  • radioactive decayThe random process in which an unstable nucleus breaks down by giving off radiation, such as alpha particles, beta particles or gamma rays, and often turns into a different element.

More terms: Atomic and Nuclear Physics

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