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When the nucleus (not the atom) splits, the fragments fly off with kinetic energy. With U-235 about 200 MeV is released per fission, which is not much, but a lot of fissions are happening every second. Most of this energy goes into kinetic energy of the fragments, which are quickly stopped in the surrounding uranium fuel rods, and hence appears as heat. If you are not familiar with this energy conversion, imagine a space capsule entering the atmosphere, it is slowed down and gets very hot as a result.

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14y ago
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2mo ago

When an atom is split in a process called nuclear fission, a large amount of energy is released in the form of heat. This heat is generated because the total mass of the products after the split is slightly less than the total mass of the original atom, according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2. This released energy is what produces the heat used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants.

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14y ago


The nuclear fission results in mass defect that manifests, itself as energy (or heat), according to the famous relation:

Energy = mass x (light speed) 2.

Heat also results from the radioactive decay of the fission fragments coming out from the fission process and the radioactive decay of some trans-uranium produced in the nuclear fuel.

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12y ago

When the neutron splits apart the uranium, it releases energy in the form of heat.

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Q: How does the splitting of an atom in nuclear power create heat?
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Splitting from an atom is called what?

Splitting an atom is called nuclear fission. This process releases a large amount of energy and is the principle behind nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.


Can the energy from splitting an atom be contained and used?

Yes, the energy released from splitting an atom (nuclear fission) can be contained and used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants. This energy is harnessed through controlled chain reactions that produce heat to create steam, which then drives turbines to generate electricity.


The splitting of the nucleus of a large atom into two or more smaller nuclei occurs during what nuclear?

The splitting of the nucleus of a large atom into two or more smaller nuclei is called nuclear fission. This process releases a large amount of energy and is the principle behind nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.


What is the original source of nuclear power?

The original source of nuclear power is the nuclear fission process. This process involves splitting the nucleus of an atom, such as uranium or plutonium, which releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat. This heat is then used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants.


Why does splitting the atom create a nuclear explosion?

Splitting an atom (fission) releases energy and more than one neutron. If there is a nearby atom, the neutron can cause the atom to split, releasing more neutrons. The "chain reaction" proceeds exponentially. At each split more energy is released. Eventually the energy is sufficient to wipe out whole cities: an explosion.

Related questions

Splitting from an atom is called what?

Splitting an atom is called nuclear fission. This process releases a large amount of energy and is the principle behind nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.


What is the term for splitting a atom?

When you split an atom, you create a nuclear fission. The energy from splitting that atom is converted to electricity. To split an atom means to literally "break it in half." An atom has a nucleus with negatively charged electrons around it. The reaction of the atom splitting is so large that a small amount can convert into numerous amounts of energy.


Is nuclear fission splitting two atoms apart?

In general, nuclear fission is the splitting of a single atomic nucleus. One atom with an unstable nucleus splits, either spontantously or perhaps because it has absorbed a neutron. Fission is a physics term applied to the action of the splitting of an atom, not the splitting or "separating" of two atoms.


What are the nuclear power?

There are two types of nuclear power, fission power and fusion power. Fission power involves splitting an atom to produce energy. Fusion power involves combining two atoms together to make one bigger atom which produces energy.


Can the energy from splitting an atom be contained and used?

Yes, the energy released from splitting an atom (nuclear fission) can be contained and used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants. This energy is harnessed through controlled chain reactions that produce heat to create steam, which then drives turbines to generate electricity.


Does nuclear fusion involve splitting an atom?

yep


How it's called the splitting of the atom?

Nuclear fission


Nuclear fission reactions involve the .?

Splitting of atom


What is produced by splitting the atom of a radioactive material?

Splitting the atom of a radioactive material produces energy in the form of heat and radiation. This process, called nuclear fission, results in the release of large amounts of energy, which can be harnessed for various applications such as electricity generation in nuclear power plants.


What type of reaction is used to generate electricity in a nuclear power plant?

Nuclear fission, the splitting apart of the atom, is used to generate electricity in a nuclear power plant. Nuclear fusion, the joining together of two atoms to create electricity, has been tried, but, it only works for a few seconds at best, and it will not be a source of power until sometime in the distant future.


What is the process of splitting an atom called?

The process of splitting an atom is called nuclear fission. This is when the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. Nuclear fission is the process that powers nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons.


The splitting of the nucleus of a large atom into two or more smaller nuclei occurs during what nuclear?

The splitting of the nucleus of a large atom into two or more smaller nuclei is called nuclear fission. This process releases a large amount of energy and is the principle behind nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.