Which energy process involves splitting atomic nuclei to release energy?

Which energy process involves splitting atomic nuclei to release energy?

• A. Fusion
• B. Fracking
• C. Nuclear fission
• D. Mining

Answer: (C)

When energy comes from splitting atomic nuclei, the process is nuclear fission. In fission, a heavy nucleus such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239 absorbs a neutron and becomes unstable, splitting into two lighter nuclei plus additional neutrons. This split releases a significant amount of energy due to the mass that is converted to energy (via E=mc^2). Those extra neutrons can trigger more fissions, creating a chain reaction that produces a large amount of heat, which is what powers nuclear reactors and underlies some nuclear weapons. This differs from fusion, where energy comes from combining light nuclei into heavier ones under extreme conditions, and from fracking or mining, which are methods of extracting resources rather than releasing energy from nuclear reactions.

When energy comes from splitting atomic nuclei, the process is nuclear fission. In fission, a heavy nucleus such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239 absorbs a neutron and becomes unstable, splitting into two lighter nuclei plus additional neutrons. This split releases a significant amount of energy due to the mass that is converted to energy (via E=mc^2). Those extra neutrons can trigger more fissions, creating a chain reaction that produces a large amount of heat, which is what powers nuclear reactors and underlies some nuclear weapons. This differs from fusion, where energy comes from combining light nuclei into heavier ones under extreme conditions, and from fracking or mining, which are methods of extracting resources rather than releasing energy from nuclear reactions.