When a neutron is fired at a U235 atom, it splits the atom in two forming two very unstable forms of krypton and barium: Kr92 and Ba141. While this process is going on, which is called nuclear fission, enormous amounts of energy and three more neutrons are released. Then these three other neutrons hit more waiting U235 atoms, and this process repeats.
Uses:
This can be used for many things, it can be harnessed for energy, or packed into a bomb for warfare. No matter what it is being used for, we are still imagining the possibilities of nuclear fission.
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Nuclear fission is achieved by bombarding a heavy atomic nucleus, such as uranium-235, with a neutron, causing it to split into smaller nuclei, release energy, and additional neutrons. These additional neutrons can then trigger further fission reactions in a self-sustaining chain reaction. This process releases a large amount of energy that can be harnessed for electricity generation in nuclear power plants.
That is a big question to answer, with over 400 reactors world wide. In the US you can obtain a map on the NRC website (www.nrc.gov) which shows all 104 reactors in the US. In the rest of the world you can obtain information country by country from website www.world-nuclear.org
In nuclear reactors, where the fissioning (or splitting) of the nuclei of Uranium 235 is used to produce heat and hence electricity.
Also in nuclear weapons.
nuclear fission
Splitting of atomic nuclei, also known as nuclear fission, is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom is split into smaller parts. This process releases a significant amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. Nuclear fission is used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.
When nuclear fission is repeated in a self-sustaining chain reaction, it is called a nuclear reactor or a nuclear power plant.
I currently use nuclear fusion.
In a nuclear fission reaction, a freely moving neutron undergoes neutron capture and initiates the nuclear fission of a fuel atom.