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the absorption of a free-moving neutron by the atom's nucleus

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aphr0dite chub

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4y ago
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8y ago

The atom's nucleus is inherently unstable for certain configurations of number of neutrons and protons. The more unstable it is the shorter the half life.

In a chain reaction the capture of a free neutron causes an immediate instability of the capturing nucleus which then splits and releases to new neutrons.

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10y ago

The absorption of a free-moving neutron by the atom's nucleus

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Continue Learning about Physics

Occurs when a large nucleus splits releasing energy and two smaller nuclei?

Nuclear fission.


What is nuclear fission?

the splitting of a nucleus


What is spontaneous fission?

Spontaneous fission is a naturally occurring nuclear decay event that a few different elements undergo. Uranium and plutonium, which are radioactive, are the most well known of the fissionable elements, and they can do this in nature. The nucleus of the atoms of these elements are naturally unstable, and they can just "split" by themselves. The instability is a characteristic of these and some other elements, and this is because these large nuclei are so massive that their nuclear binding energy cannot hold them together indefinitely. Note that spontaneous fission is just one possibility as regards the decay of these heavy nuclei.In spontaneous fission, the unstable nucleus just falls or breaks apart by itself. The nucleus splits in two parts of approximately the same size, and these are the fission fragments from the decay event. One or more neutrons will be released at this time, too. The fission fragments recoil with a great deal of kinetic energy. Further, it is spontaneous fission that begins all nuclear chain reactions in nuclear weapons and in nuclear reactors. A link can be found below for more information.


A nuclear reaction in which an atoms nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei and energy is released as heat is known as?

nuclear fission


What is the best definition of nuclear fusion?

Nuclear fusion is the joining of two or more nuclei into one nucleus (apex) CORRECT ANSWER!!!!!!

Related questions

How is nuclear produced?

by nucleoli fission reactions


What happens to the nucleus?

Nuclear reactions, radioactive decay, natural fission


What happens to a nucleus of an unstable atom?

the unstable nucleus will decay into smaller, stable particles.


Nuclear reaction in which an unstable atomic nucleus splits into two roughly equal parts?

Fission.


Do radioactivity nuclear reaction half life fission and fusion all connect?

Yes, they can all be connected. These disparate events are all nuclear events. They involve changes in the nuclei of atoms, and that's what connects them. Radioactivity is the "breakdown" of an unstable atomic nucleus. Nuclear reactions come in different types, but they are all nuclear reactions involving nuclei. Half-life is the term applied to unstable radionuclides to speak to how quickly the nucleus of the different ones will decay. Fission is basically the splitting of an atomic nucleus, while fusion is the fusion of subatomic particles into a new atomic nucleus, or the fusion of atomic nuclei to make a heavier atomic nucleus.


The splitting of a heavy nucleus is called?

nuclear fission


Reaction that involves a change in the nucleus?

The general term is "nuclear reaction". An atom may emit alpha, beta, or gamma rays; it may split into two or three smaller parts (fission), or two lighter atoms may combine into a heavier one (fusion).


What is the splitting of an atoms nucleus into two smaller nuclei is called?

nuclear fission


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 is it called when unstable nuclear atoms are split unto two?

either atomic decomposition or nuclear fission, fission being a uranium-235 or other such isotope having a slow moving neutron fired into it's nucleus.


Where can neutrons be found?

Neutrons are available in all element nuclei except hydrogen nucleus. It can be obtained through specific nuclear reactions and through nuclear fission.


Occurs when a large nucleus splits releasing energy and two smaller nuclei?

Nuclear fission.