In the present article, we are going to learn about nuclear fission examples, their detailed explanations and also regarding the conversion between nuclear energy and kinetic energy.
A nuclear reaction in which a nucleus that is believed to be heavy goes on to split itself so that it results in parts comparatively smaller or gives rise to lighter nuclei. Basically, nuclear fission can be regarded as a decay process.
The usual resultants of the mentioned phenomenon are gamma rays which possess some atomic particles, such as protons and neutrons. It is also accompanied by a huge quantity of energy that is released.
Nuclear fission examples
- Nuclear power plants
- Splitting of uranium-235
- Splitting of uranium-233
- Splitting of plutonium-239
- Heavy elements
- Formation of fission products
- Production of radioactive
- Nuclear chain reaction
- Production of barium and krypton
- Generation of electricity
- Controlled fission
- Nuclear reactors
Nuclear power plants
As we already mentioned, there will be energy production on a large scale while nuclear fission occurs. It can also be known that nuclear power plant is one of the applications of nuclear fission related to the real world. Nuclear power plants are generally associated with generating electricity utilizing the phenomenon of nuclear fission. All this happens when working fluid is provided with the energy released in a fission process in the form of heat. This enables the steam turbines to rotate under the influence of the provided energy.
Splitting of uranium-235
Uranium is basically very famous for its property to split and give daughter nuclei (or undergo fission). This is possible only by bombarding it specifically by the fast neutrons where the energy possessed by them exceeds 1MeV. By experiment, it is found that when uranium-233 is made to undergo fission with the use of neutrons, the fission products obtained are barium and krypton. This depicts an example of nuclear fission.
Splitting of uranium-233
Uranium is basically very famous for its property to split and give daughter nuclei (or undergo fission). This is possible only by bombarding it specifically by the fast neutrons where the energy possessed by them exceeds 1MeV. By experiment, it is found that when uranium-233 is made to undergo fission with the use of neutrons, the fission products obtained are xenon and strontium; this is one of the nuclear fission examples.
Splitting of plutonium-239
By experiment, it is found that when plutonium-239 is made to undergo fission with the use of neutrons, the fission products obtained are xenon and zirconium. We already know that for the occurrence of fission, there is a requirement for some form of energy. This requirement can be fulfilled by radioactive decay. For a nucleus, in order to undergo fission, the nuclear binding energy that is responsible for holding protons and neutrons together has to be overcome; this is one of the nuclear fission examples.
Heavy elements
Some of the heavy elements, namely thorium and protactinium, are observed to exhibit nuclear fission. The nuclear fission in such elements is due to fast neutrons and also because of a few other particles; for example, deuterons, alphas, protons and gamma rays are believed to induce fission; this is one of the nuclear fission examples. This depicts an example of nuclear fission.
Formation of fission products
This is one of the nuclear fission examples. The unknown species, which are fission products present in the tracers, can be identified by radiochemical techniques, which basically deal with the isolation and identification of a few elements from zinc to gadolinium. These elements are known to be fission products. The technique involves comparing the behaviour of known radioactive species with the unknown ones.
Production of radioactive
The fission reaction is also associated with producing a large variety of radio activities elaborately utilized in biological, chemical and even industrial use. Thus, nuclear fission can be taken as a rich source of useful tracers. This depicts an example of nuclear fission. The usual resultants of nuclear fission are gamma rays which possess some atomic particles, such as protons and neutrons.
Nuclear chain reaction
We already know that for the occurrence of fission, there is a requirement for some form of energy. This requirement can be fulfilled by radioactive decay. For a nucleus, in order to undergo fission, the nuclear binding energy that is responsible for holding protons and neutrons together has to be overcome. To do so, the energy requirement is seen. After the bombardment of fast neutrons with the heavy nuclei, it gives rise to fission products along with the other two fast neutrons. These neutrons are further believed to be inducing fission in other nuclei. This process is continued to result in a chain reaction.
Production of barium and krypton
Initially, the neutrons are made to collide with uranium-235 nuclei. Here, we can observe the transfer of energy from neutron to the uranium nuclei, which assess the breakage of the nuclei in many ways. Thus, performed fission reaction results in the production of barium and krypton along with two neutrons. The process goes on to continue and is able to be controlled by involving a substance that is capable of absorbing the neutrons.
Generation of electricity
As we already mentioned, there will be energy production on a large scale while nuclear fission occurs. It can also be known that nuclear power plant is one of the applications of nuclear fission related to the real world. Nuclear power plants are generally associated with the generation of electricity utilizing the phenomenon of nuclear fission. All this happens when working fluid is provided with the energy released in a fission process in the form of heat. This enables the steam turbines to rotate under the influence of the provided energy.
Controlled fission
Initially, the neutrons are made to collide with heavy nuclei. Here, we can observe the transfer of energy from neutron to the uranium nuclei, which assess the breakage of the nuclei in many ways. Thus, performed fission reaction results in the production of barium and krypton along with two neutrons. The process goes on to continue to result in a chain reaction and is able to be controlled by involving a substance that is capable of absorbing the neutrons.
Nuclear reactors
As we already mentioned, there will be energy production on a large scale while nuclear fission takes place. It can also be known that nuclear power plant is one of the applications of nuclear fission related to the real world. Nuclear power plants are generally associated with the generation of electricity utilizing the phenomenon of nuclear fission. All this happens when working fluid is provided with the energy released in a fission process in the form of heat. This enables the steam turbines to rotate under the influence of the provided energy.
Nuclear energy to kinetic energy
Both nuclear energy and kinetic energy exist in the context of nuclear fission.
During radioactive decay, there is a release of heat energy. The obtained heat energy is regarded as nuclear energy. The decay process also provides kinetic energy to a particle (a decay product). Before undergoing fission, the atoms are said to be possessing potential energy.
Whereas, further they possess kinetic energy in the form of heat that is spread out in the reactor.
How is nuclear energy converted to kinetic energy?
The energy that is supposed to be released in any of the nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fission, can be regarded as nuclear energy.
Nuclear power plants are generally associated with the generation of electricity utilizing the phenomenon of nuclear fission. All this happens when working fluid is provided with the energy released in a fission process in the form of heat. This enables the steam turbines to rotate under the influence of the provided energy.
Let us now discuss nuclear energy to kinetic energy examples.
Nuclear energy to kinetic energy examples
Below given are some of the examples depicting nuclear energy to kinetic energy conversion.
Nuclear power plants
As we already mentioned, there will be energy production on a large scale while nuclear fission takes place. It can also be known that nuclear power plant is one of the applications of nuclear fission related to the real world. Nuclear power plants are generally associated with the generation of electricity utilizing the phenomenon of nuclear fission. All this happens when working fluid is provided with the energy released in a fission process in the form of heat. This enables the steam turbines to rotate under the influence of the provided energy.
Nuclear weapons
The usual resultants of nuclear fission are gamma rays which possess some atomic particles, such as protons and neutrons. It is also accompanied by a huge quantity of energy that is released. The energy, in general, is in kinetic energy form. As we all are familiar with, the most famous nuclear weapons are hydrogen bombs and atom bombs.
Frequently asked questions| FAQS
What would be the source of energy in fission?
The released energy, in general, is in kinetic energy form
In an atom, the protons are expected to be repelling each other by some amount of force. Thus, when they split, the force repelling them is released as energy. The usual resultants of nuclear fission are gamma rays which possess some atomic particles, such as protons and neutrons. It is also accompanied by a huge quantity of energy that is released.
Explain the differences between the nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
There are a few differences that make nuclear fission different from nuclear fusion.
| Nuclear fission | Nuclear fusion |
| A nucleus that is believed to be heavy goes on to split itself so that it results in parts comparatively smaller, or it gives rise to lighter nuclei. | Fusion is basically a combination of nuclei that are comparatively lighter into heavier ones. |
| It is accompanied by a huge quantity of energy that is released. | It is also accompanied by a huge quantity of energy that is released. |
| Uranium is basically very famous for its property to split and give daughter nuclei (or undergo fission) | Hydrogen isotopes are the very familiar primary fuel That is utilized in the power plants |
Also Read:
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- Is nuclear fusion possible
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- Nuclear fuels examples
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- When does nuclear fusion begin
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- Nuclear fusion in the sun
Hi…..I am Harshitha H N. I have completed my master’s in Physics from the University of Mysore with a specialization in Nuclear physics. I enjoy exploring new things in my free time. My article always aims to develop and bring some value to the table with relevant topics.
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