Fission

Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy. A heavy nucleus such as a suitable uranium isotope can undergo fission after interacting with a neutron.

Fission can produce: two smaller nuclei; additional neutrons; * released energy.

The total mass of the products is slightly less than the original mass involved. The missing mass is associated with released energy according to: **E = mc²**

Neutrons released by one fission event can cause further fissions. This is called a chain reaction. In controlled civilian nuclear power systems, the reaction rate is carefully regulated.

The released nuclear energy can ultimately be used to heat a working fluid, produce steam, drive turbines and generate electricity.