FISSION REACTION

When a heavy nucleus is bombarded by a neutron, it will become unstable and split into two lighter nuclei of apporximately equal mass. Huge amounts of nuclear energy is released. This splitting process is called FISSION.

When a neutron strikes and penetrates a nucleus of uranium-235, it can split into barium and krypton.

1 0

n +

235 92

U

-->

144 56

Ba +

90 36

Kr +

1 0

n +

1 0

n +

energy

Neutrons emitted from this process will go on to bombard other heavy nuclei, forming a chain reaction.

Nuclear bombs and nuclear reactors make use of this chain reaction to produce enourmous amounts of energy.