Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
nuclear fission
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Enrico Fermi
What is the difference between nuclear fission and fusion?
average binding energy per nucleon as a function of the mass number potential energy as a function of elongation of a fissioning nucleus
What the fission of a uranium nucleus by a neutron looks like
Fission mass distribution dependence on the energy excitation in the fission of uranium-235 schematic illustrations of single-humped and double-humped fission barriers
How does a nuclear power plant generate electricity?
Nuclear fission and fusion
For Students
nuclear fission summary
Read Next
The First Atomic Bombs infographic, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Japan, United States, nuclear weapon, atomic bomb, World War II, WWII
The First Atomic Bombs Tested and Used During World War II
J. Robert Oppenheimer (L) & Gen. Leslie R. Groves at ground zero examine remains of a base of the steel test tower at the Trinity Test site of a nuclear bomb; as part of the Manhattan Project in New Mexico, Sep. 1945. Los Alamos National Laboratory
Timeline of the Manhattan Project
Abandoned school in Pripyat in the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant
Nuclear Exclusion Zones
Wide angle view of Pripyat from Polissya Hotel. Chernobyl nuclear power plant zone of alienation.
30th Anniversary of Chernobyl
Discover
Close-up of ostriches (Struthio camelus) necks and heads; location unknown.
6 of the World's Most Dangerous Birds
Panama Canal infographic
Timeline and Map of the Panama Canal
Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada, 2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics
10 Best Hockey Players of All Time
Watergate scandal. Richard M. Nixon. President Nixon gives a press conference and talks to the press, March 12, 1971.
9 American Political Scandals
Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. Red lionfish swims by seaweed.
10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish
Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro
Why Is Christmas in December?
Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,
Which Religion Is the Oldest?
Enrico Fermi
Enrico Fermi Italian-born physicist Enrico Fermi explaining a problem in physics, c. 1950.

nuclear fission

physics
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://mainten.top/science/nuclear-fission
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Also known as: atomic fission, induced fission
Written by
Ellis P. Steinberg
Director, Chemistry Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, 1982–88; Section Head, Nuclear and Inorganic Chemistry, 1974–82.
Ellis P. Steinberg
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History

nuclear fission, subdivision of a heavy atomic nucleus, such as that of uranium or plutonium, into two fragments of roughly equal mass. The process is accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy. In nuclear fission the nucleus of an atom breaks up into two lighter nuclei. The process may take place spontaneously in some cases or may be induced by the excitation of the nucleus with a variety of particles (e.g., neutrons, protons, deuterons, or alpha particles) or with electromagnetic radiation in the form of gamma rays. In the fission process, a large quantity of energy is ...(100 of 8269 words)

Access the full article
Help support true facts by becoming a member.