Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is a process involving the splitting of heavy nucleus into two or more nuclei of roughly equal mass with the release of several neutrons at the same time.

Nuclear fission seldom occurs spontaneously. Usually it occurs when the heavy nucleus is bombarded by a neutron.

Induced fission occurs when reaction caused by neutrons absorption.

Spontaneous fission occurs when nuclei undergo fission without initial neutron absorption.

The reaction causes large mass defect which appears mostly as kinetic energy of the fission fragments. They fly apart at great speed and colliding with the atoms in the vicinity and increasing their average kinetic energy. This causes them to have higher temperature and give out heat. Thus, nuclear fission is one of the source of heat energy.

Example of nuclear fission are:

Source: http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/images/nuclear_fission_good_1a.jpg




Source: chem-guide.blogspot.com