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Nuclear Fission — Key Details

Part of Nuclear Fission & Fusion · GCSE GCSE Physics revision

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 less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. 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:

  1. A slow neutron is absorbed by a uranium-235 nucleus
  2. The nucleus becomes unstable
  3. It splits into two smaller nuclei (fission products)
  4. 2-3 neutrons are released
  5. A huge amount of energy is released

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Nuclear Fission & Fusion. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Mass-Energy EquivalenceChain ReactionsThe Power of the NucleusNuclear Fission Explained

Practice Questions for Nuclear Fission & Fusion

What is nuclear fission?

  • A. The joining of two small nuclei to form one larger nucleus
  • B. The spontaneous emission of an alpha particle from a nucleus
  • C. The splitting of a large nucleus into two smaller nuclei
  • D. The absorption of an electron by a nucleus
1 markfoundation

Explain what is meant by a chain reaction in nuclear fission.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is nuclear fusion?
The joining of two small, light nuclei to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy
What is nuclear fission?
The splitting of a large, unstable nucleus into two smaller nuclei, releasing energy and neutrons

13 questions on Nuclear Fission & Fusion — practise free

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Mass-Energy Equivalence

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Chain Reactions