Nuclear fission splits an atom’s nucleus, creating two smaller products and releasing energy. Uranium, particularly U-235, is commonly used for energy generation. Enriched uranium is needed for nuclear energy production, while weapons require a higher percentage of U-235. Radioactive particles are a concern, and nuclear fission is different from nuclear fusion.
Nuclear fission is the splitting of the nucleus of an atom, thus creating two products about half the mass of the original. Some neutrons are also released in the process. This process releases a significant amount of energy. Nuclear fission is the physical process responsible for all types of energy generation, including that used in both nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants.
There are a number of elements that can be used in nuclear fission, but the most common is uranium. This material is popular for a number of different reasons, but two of the most important are that it is abundant and there are uranium isotopes that are easy to split. The most commonly used uranium isotope for nuclear power generation is called U-235. Besides U-235, plutonium is another substance sometimes used for nuclear energy.
For the production of nuclear energy, enriched uranium is needed. This needs to be approximately 2 to 3 percent U-235 to work as it should. The uranium enrichment process for weapons is nearly the same, with one notable exception. For weapons, the amount of U-235 needs to be closer to 90% of total uranium.
To create nuclear fission, material must be harvested. A free neutron is then fired towards the nucleus of the atom. The isotope U-235 absorbs the neutron in its nucleus, but this causes the delicate structure to become unstable. Therefore, it splits almost immediately. The neutrons released in the process are what cause the energy to be released. While they seemingly disappear, Einstein’s theory notes that they aren’t gone, simply converted into energy.
The problems with nuclear fission mainly arise from the radioactive particles that are present after the material splits. The radiation emitted can be at such high levels that it damages living tissue, causing cancer and other ailments. Therefore, while the initial energy release created can be very powerful and dangerous, there are other dangers to keep in mind as well. One debate, especially for nuclear power plants, is what to do with these radioactive elements. The solution favored by the US government is to bury the material deep under a mountain where, in theory, it would be sufficiently insulated from causing damage.
Nuclear fission is sometimes confused with nuclear fusion. While the nucleus of atoms is split in fission, they are joined together in nuclear fusion. Both techniques can create a significant amount of energy. Nuclear fission is a process that creates multiple nuclei and atoms from one. Nuclear fusion is almost the opposite, where several atoms come together to create a single heavier nucleus.
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