Nuclear fission is one of the most powerful nuclear reactions known to science. When a heavy atomic nucleus like Uranium-235 is struck by a neutron, it becomes unstable and splits apart, releasing an enormous amount of energy. This process forms the basis of nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.
The fission process occurs in several distinct steps. First, a neutron bombards the heavy nucleus. The nucleus absorbs the neutron and becomes highly unstable. Within microseconds, the unstable nucleus splits into two smaller fragments of roughly equal mass. During this splitting, two to three additional neutrons are released along with an enormous burst of energy.
The true power of nuclear fission lies in the chain reaction. When a nucleus splits, it releases multiple neutrons. Each of these neutrons can strike other nearby nuclei, causing them to split as well. This creates an exponential multiplication effect. One fission event can trigger two or three more, which in turn trigger even more. If uncontrolled, this chain reaction can release tremendous amounts of energy in a very short time.
The energy released in nuclear fission comes from Einstein's famous equation E equals m c squared. During fission, a small amount of mass is converted directly into energy. Even though the mass difference is tiny, the speed of light squared is enormous, so the energy released is tremendous. This mass-energy conversion is what makes nuclear reactions millions of times more powerful than chemical reactions.
Nuclear fission has several important applications in modern society. In nuclear power plants, the fission process is carefully controlled using control rods to maintain a steady chain reaction that generates heat, which is then converted to electricity. Nuclear weapons use uncontrolled chain reactions to release devastating amounts of energy. Additionally, nuclear reactors produce medical isotopes used in cancer treatment and diagnostic imaging, making nuclear fission a vital technology for both energy production and healthcare.