Difference between revisions of "Fission"
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(New page: Fission is when an atomic nucleus splits into several smaller fragments of roughly half the original mass. The process emits two or three neutrons. The sum of the fragments is slight...) |
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| − | Fission is when an [[atom]]ic nucleus splits into several smaller fragments of roughly half the original mass. The process emits two or three neutrons. | + | '''Fission''' is when an [[atom]]ic [[nucleus]] splits into several smaller fragments of roughly half the original [[mass]]. The process emits two or three [[neutrons]]. |
| − | The sum of the fragments is slightly less than than the original mass, and the "missing" mass constitutes about 0.1 percent of the original mass. This "missing" mass is converted into energy. | + | The sum of the fragments is slightly less than than the original mass, and the "missing" mass constitutes about 0.1 percent of the original mass. This "missing" mass is converted into [[energy]]. |
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| + | Fission occurs when a heavy atom nucleus captures a neutron. Fission can also happen spontaneously in [[nature]]. | ||
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[[category:physics]] | [[category:physics]] | ||
Revision as of 07:02, October 6, 2007
Fission is when an atomic nucleus splits into several smaller fragments of roughly half the original mass. The process emits two or three neutrons.
The sum of the fragments is slightly less than than the original mass, and the "missing" mass constitutes about 0.1 percent of the original mass. This "missing" mass is converted into energy.
Fission occurs when a heavy atom nucleus captures a neutron. Fission can also happen spontaneously in nature.