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Nuclear fission, the splitting of an atom's nucleus, will break an atom down into two or more different atoms and various forms of radiation.

Fission usually occurs when an element is bombarded by neutrons. These particles smash into the nucleus and break it apart.

For example, fission of uranium-235 in nuclear reactors is used to release energy:

235U + n0 --> 236U -->144Ba + 89Kr + 3n0 + 177MeV

The additional neutrons released result in a chain reaction with 3 more uranium atoms reacting.

An opposite process is fusion, where two or more elements combine and release energy. This is what happens in the sun.

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