NUCLEAR FISSION Definition & Meaning

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nuclear fission

[ noo-klee-er fish-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

fission ( def 2 ).

nuclear fission

noun

the splitting of an atomic nucleus into approximately equal parts, either spontaneously or as a result of the impact of a particle usually with an associated release of energy Sometimes shortened tofission Compare nuclear fusion

fission, nuclear

A nuclear reaction in which a single large nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei. In some cases, for example with uranium , energy is released in this process.

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Pronunciation Note

See nuclear ( def ).

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Notes

The fission of uranium 235, an isotope of uranium, supplies energy for nuclear reactors and atomic bombs (see also atomic bomb ).

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of nuclear fission¹

First recorded in 1885–90

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Like all nuclear fission plants, they are controversial.

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It will contain radioactive uranium split by nuclear fission, in a chain reaction which generates a lot of heat.

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Left untouched, nuclear fission erupts into a runaway chain reaction that can heat the core of a nuclear plant to thousands of degrees, liquifying the metal around it into radioactive lava.

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Because the process of nuclear fission does not burn or oxidize anything, nearly all the fuel used in producing energy at nuclear plants becomes waste without reducing its mass.

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It works by taking pairs of light atoms and forcing them together - the opposite of nuclear fission, where heavy atoms are split apart.

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