MadSci Network: Physics
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Subject: RE: What happens to the nucleus when the neutron splits the nucleus?

Posted by Richard Goode
Grade level: Secondary School Teacher Physics, Porterville High school, CA
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Area of science: Physics
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The process where a neutron splits an atoms nucleus is called fission. General information can be found at this link. Nuclear Energy FAQ'S Basically what happens is that a neutron with a high enough energy will strike the nucleus of a heavier atom like uranium. The energy of the neutron is sufficient to overcome the binding energy of the nucleus and the nucleus splits into two daughter elements. If we add together the masses of the two daughter nuclei, we will find that their combined masses is slightly less than the parent uranium nucleus. This mass was converted to energy. This is where E=mc^2 comes in. A little mass can be converted to lots of energy.If we control the rate that the neutrons split atoms, we have a nuclear power plant. If we don't control the rate, we have a nuclear bomb.


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