Atomic StructureKey Facts
Nuclear Fission — Key Details
Part of Nuclear Fission & Fusion — GCSE Physics
This key facts covers Nuclear Fission — Key Details within Nuclear Fission & Fusion for GCSE Physics. Revise Nuclear Fission & Fusion in Atomic Structure for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 25 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 5 of 18 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 5 of 18
Practice
13 questions
Recall
25 flashcards
💥 Nuclear Fission — Key Details
What is fission?
- The splitting of a large, unstable nucleus into two smaller nuclei
- Releases a huge amount of energy
- Also releases 2-3 neutrons
- Used in nuclear power stations and nuclear weapons
Fission of Uranium-235:
Neutron → ²³⁵U → ⁹²Kr + ¹⁴¹Ba + 3 neutrons + ENERGY
○ → ⬤ → ● + ● + ○○○ + ⚡⚡⚡
The process:
- A slow neutron is absorbed by a uranium-235 nucleus
- The nucleus becomes unstable
- It splits into two smaller nuclei (fission products)
- 2-3 neutrons are released
- A huge amount of energy is released