Fission reaction7/8/2023 ![]() This is because some of the mass is lost as free neutrons, and once kinetic energy of the fission products has been removed (i.e. Developing technology to harness nuclear fusion as a source of energy for heat and electricity generation is the subject of ongoing research, but whether or not it will be a commercially viable technology is not yet clear because of the difficulty in controlling a fusion reaction. The sum of the atomic mass of the two atoms produced by the fission of one fissile atom is always less than the atomic mass of the original atom. On average about 2.5 neutrons are emitted per fission. The exact number depends on the particular fission fragments of a reaction. Fusion is the source of energy in the sun and stars. In a fission reactor, a thermal neutron is captured by a uranium ( 235 U) nucleus, which entails the splitting into two in general unequal nuclei and the release of 23 (fast) MeV neutrons. Figure 22.27 A chain reaction can produce self-sustained fission if each fission produces enough neutrons to induce at least one more fission. Nuclear energy can also be released in nuclear fusion, where atoms are combined or fused together to form a larger atom. The self-sustained fission of nuclei is commonly referred to as a chain reaction, as shown in Figure 22.27. ![]() But in an atomic bomb, the cascading chain reaction spirals out of control, with fission happening at an ever. This reaction is controlled in nuclear power plant reactors to produce a desired amount of heat. Fission releases heat, which boils water and generates steam that spins a turbine. This process is called a nuclear chain reaction. These neutrons continue to collide with other uranium atoms, and the process repeats itself over and over again. More neutrons are also released when a uranium atom splits. When each atom splits, a tremendous amount of energy is released. Additional neutrons are also released that can initiate a chain reaction. During nuclear fission, a neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. Fission occurs when a neutron slams into a larger atom, forcing it to excite and split into two smaller atomsalso known as fission products. Last updated 7.5: Nuclear Reactions 7. That heat is used to make steam that spins a turbine to create electricity. ![]() ![]() They contain and control nuclear chain reactions that produce heat through a physical process called fission. All nuclear power plants use nuclear fission, and most nuclear power plants use uranium atoms. MaOffice of Nuclear Energy NUCLEAR 101: How Does a Nuclear Reactor Work APS Nuclear reactors are the heart of a nuclear power plant. In nuclear fission, atoms are split apart, which releases energy. ![]()
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