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Nuclear energy is held in the strong force holding the protons and neutrons together. There are two ways to release it:

  1. Fission of large nuclei into smaller ones - large nuclei (e.g. Uranium-235) are inherently unstable and when struck by a neutron split into two smaller nuclei (fission products - usually about 1/3 and 2/3 the original Atomic Mass) and 2 or 3 free neutrons plus the released nuclear energy as kinetic energy of these particles.
  2. Fusion of small nuclei into larger ones - small nuclei (e.g. Deuterium) are very stable, but when highly compressed and heated to millions of degrees, they will combine with each other releasing nuclear energy as kinetic energy of the product nuclei.

Elements in the middle (from iron to lead) cannot undergo either fusion or fission as they have no excess nuclear energy (you can think of them as nuclear "ash").

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Related Questions

What is Atomic energy is also called?

nuclear energy


What is difference between atomic energy and nuclear energy?

Atomic energy is really a misnomer for nuclear energy. It is the fissioning of the nucleus which causes energy to be released. At the atomic level we are dealing with chemical reactions, but in the early days people did talk of atomic power and atomic bombs.


What is the energy released when an atomic nucleus breaks apart?

The energy released when an atomic nucleus breaks apart is called nuclear energy. This process is known as nuclear fission, where a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. This energy is harnessed in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.


The binding energy of an atomic nucleus is the energy equivalent to the atom's?

The binding energy of an atomic nucleus is the energy equivalent to the mass defect, which is the difference between the mass of the nucleus and the sum of the masses of its individual protons and neutrons. This energy is needed to hold the nucleus together and is released during nuclear reactions, such as fusion or fission.


This is also known as atomic energy?

The source of atomic energy is the "binding energy" that exists in the nucleus of all atoms. This is the energy that is contained in the union of the protons and neutrons of the nucleus. When the nucleus is split apart, the binding energy is released.


What type of energy is stored in an atomic nuclei?

The energy stored in an atomic nucleus is nuclear energy. This energy is released during nuclear reactions such as fission or fusion.


How is the atomic bomb nuclear?

It gets its energy from the atomic nucleus.


What is the definition of necular energy?

Atomic energy is released during a nuclear reaction during fission or fusion. It is released by the nucleus of an atom and can also be a result of radioactive decay.


How is energy distributed in an atom?

The important energy is in the atomic nucleus.


What is nuclear energy definition?

energy derived from the atomic nucleus


Were is nuclear energy found?

In the atomic nucleus.


What is the potential energy in the nucleus of an atom called?

The potential energy in the nucleus of an atom is called nuclear potential energy. It is the energy associated with the interactions between protons and neutrons within the nucleus, which can be released in nuclear reactions such as fission or fusion.

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