Atomic fission

Nuclear fission is a term from nuclear physics, this is a process in which an atomic nucleus is split into two or more parts while releasing energy.

Different types of cleavage

There are types of atomic nuclei that split without external influence, this is also referred to as spontaneous fission. This spontaneous fission is equivalent to radioactive decay. However, nuclear fission usually only becomes useful through the induced fission. This is a nuclear reaction in which a neutron is absorbed by the bombarded nucleus. The nucleus of this neutron is charged by binding energy and splits. Both fissions have one thing in common, in addition to the usually 2 fragments, some (usually 2-3) neutrons can also be released. Fission only occurs when the nuclides are sufficiently heavy.

cleavage of a nucleus

The fission of an atomic nucleus can roughly be broken down into two types: by thermal neutrons or by very fast neutrons. With the help of thermal neutrons, only isotopes with an odd number of neutrons can actually be fissioned. With the help of fast neutrons, however, isotopes with an even number of neutrons can also be fissioned well.