What is Nuclear Fission? Definition, Example and Equation
Atoms are the most important topic of Physics as well as chemistry also. hello, peoples welcome to our website Physics Point. today we are going to discuss the most important topic of atoms and nuclei – what is nuclear fission? I think every science student somewhere listened to this word such as in his syllabus book or any paper. The atom bomb is based on the concept of nuclear fission. We will give you a depth knowledge about the nuclear fission topic. This article is going to be very interesting for you people. I hope you will read this whole topic from start to end with your full attention.
In recent years, many important questions asked about this topic in every type of examination these important questions are What is Nuclear Fission, what definition of nuclear fission, fission vs fusion, the nuclear fission example, the nuclear fission reaction, define nuclear fission equation, etc. So please read this whole article very carefully. every concept describes in very easy words so there should be an about what is nuclear fission after reading this. Let us start our today’s topic.
What is nuclear fission (Definition)?
It is a kind of reaction occurred in an atom. when the nucleus of any atom breaks into a definite number of lighter nuclei through a certain type of reaction then this phenomenon is known as nuclear fission. the one and most important thing about this nuclear reaction are that This reaction can be spontaneous or can be stimulated in a lab by creating some important conditions.
To simulate this Nuclear Fission in the lab we used to bombard neutrons on the nucleus of an atom and as a result, we saw that the fragment’s combined mass is less than the original one. The scientific definition of nuclear fission is given as:
Nuclear Fission is the process in which the nucleus of the atom breaks into two daughter nuclei.
Nuclear Fission Examples
There are some examples of nuclear fission are given-
- The splitting of the nucleus of Uranium-235, The equation of this Nuclear Fission is given below-
92U235 + 0n1 → 56Ba144 + 36Kr89 + 30n1 + 210MeV
- The splitting of the nucleus of Uranium-233, The equation of this Nuclear Fission is given below-
92U233 + 0n1 → 54Xe137 + 38Sr94 + 30n1
- The splitting of the nucleus of Plutonium-239, The equation of this Nuclear Fission is given below-
94Pu239 + 0n1 → 54Xe137 + 40Zr103 + 30n1
The Chernobyl Accident
In the history of nuclear power plants, this was a great tragedy. Every Student and person should know about the Chernobyl accident of nuclear power plant. this nuclear plant was located about 80 km north of Kyiv, Ukraine. This Plant was an RBMK-1000-type reactor.
On the date of bad day April 26, 1986, the worst-ever nuclear accident occurs at the Chernobyl plant. due to the accident, the radioactivity and fire explosion spread everywhere around this reactor and this radioactivity also goes into the atmosphere of that area. the cooling water which is used in this nuclear reactor starts to boil and turns into steam and vapor.
What is Nuclear Energy?
Nuclear energy is a type of energy released from the nucleus, the core of atoms which are made up of protons and neutrons. This Energy Production defines in two ways- the first one is when the atoms are split into their daughter nuclei. This phenomenon is called nuclear fission. And the other one is when many small atoms combine to form a heavier atom compared to parent atoms and this phenomenon is called nuclear fusion. In very simple words they can say that the energy released during nuclear reactions such as Nuclear Fission or nuclear fusion is called nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy work on Einstein’s famous equation
E=mc2
here,
- E is the energy
- m is the mass
- c is the lights speed in air or vacuum
The nuclear plant has the ability to generate a high level of energy for power without pollution. but the most disadvantage of this energy production is that the nuclear waste has to be disposed of in very careful condition So that the radiation does not harm the human being or any other creature in the surroundings.
What is the difference between fission and fusion?
With the help of the given table, you can understand the main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Read this table carefully to understand the concepts of what is nuclear fission and fusion.
| Nuclear fission | Nuclear fusion |
| It is defined as the breakdown of a nuclear into two daughters nuclear. | It is defined as the combination of two small nuclear into heavier nuclei. |
| In the reaction of nuclear fission Uranium is used as the primary fuel in the power plant. | In the reaction of nuclear fission hydrogen isotopes are used as the primary fuel in power plants. |
| Nuclear fission energy is released in very high amounts but not more than nuclear fusion. | The magnitude of the energy produced in nuclear fusion is 3 to 4 times higher than the energy released in nuclear fission. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ques. How many types of nuclear reactions?
Ans. There are following four types of nuclear reactions –
- Nuclear Fission
- Nuclear fusion
- Nuclear decay
- And the transmutation.
Ques. What is the meaning of nuclear energy?
Ans. This is the energy released during the nuclear reactions.
Ques. Write the reaction of the nuclear fission of plutonium – 239.
Ans. 94Pu239 + 0n1 → 54Xe137 + 40Zr103 + 30n1
Conclusion
In today’s article what is nuclear fission there is a lot of discussions have been done by us. and I hope you all have understood these important questions, what is nuclear fission, what is nuclear fission definition, how does nuclear fission works, what is the nuclear fission example, what nuclear fission equation, etc. Still, if you have any doubts regarding this article you can comment in the comment section so that we can clear your doubt as soon as possible. Stay tuned to our website to read more interesting articles every day. thank you!
