Nuclear fission
Jonny Nelson introduces an animated explanation of fission and fusion
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. is the splitting of a large atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei.
In a A piece of equipment in which nuclear fission or fusion takes place., a Uncharged subatomic particle, with a mass of 1 relative to a proton. The relative charge of a neutron is 0. is absorbed into a nucleus (typically uranium-235). This causes the nucleus to become uranium-236, which is violently unstable.
The entire nucleus splits into two large fragments called 'The nuclei (centres of atoms) that are produced by a nuclear reaction. In nuclear fission the parent nucleus splits into two smaller daughter nuclei and releases energy.'. In addition to the 'daughter' products, two or three neutrons also explode out of the fission reaction and these can collide with other uranium nuclei to cause further fission reactions. This is known as 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 fast moving neutrons carry most of the energy from the reaction with them (99%) but before the neutrons can collide with fresh uranium nuclei, they need to be slowed down.
This is so that the energy can pass on to other components in the nuclear reactor, which is used to heat water to drive the Revolving machine with blades that are turned by wind, water or steam. Turbines in a power station turn the generators. that turn the An electromagnetic device that produces electricity when it is turned on..