Explain the process of nuclear fission.

I would start by defining nuclear fission: 'Nuclear fission is the process of splitting up atoms and harnessing the energy from the reaction.' I would then proceed to explain how this occurs: 'Fission happens when a neutron is fired at high speed at a large nucleus, often Uranium or Plutonium. This extra addition of a neutron makes the nucleus highly unstable, and it splits into two smaller nuclei, plus a few extra neutrons. These extra neutrons go on to split more nuclei, starting a chain reaction of atom splitting. Each event of fission creates energy, and the energy from the reaction as a whole is harnessed.

RS
Answered by Rob S. Physics tutor

9971 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain why evaporation cools a liquid.


What is cosmic microwave background, and where does it come from?


How do you calculate the specific heat capacity of a substance?


What does the term terminal velocity mean?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning