What is the device that splits atoms to produce heat energy?

Answer 1

A device that splits atoms to produce energy is called a nuclear reactor. Nuclear reactors commonly split uranium-235 or plutonium-239. The heat is created mainly through:

1. An increase of the average kinetic energy of local atoms directly after fission

2. Gamma rays giving more energy to atoms

3. Radioactive decay which also creates heat

Answer 2

One group of nuclear weapons, known as fission weapons, use the energy created by the splitting of atoms. These weapons are also known as atomic weapons. Atomic bombs use uranium 235 or plutonium 239 as these two metals have large atoms, making them easy to split. Atomic weapons work by forcibly splitting the atom by way of a neutron making its way to the atoms nucleus. When the atom splits, it releases extra neutrons which split more atoms causing a chain reaction ending in a fission explosion. This process takes only a split second from the first atom split to explosion.

Answer 3

A device that splits atoms to produce heat energy is called a nuclear reactor. Nuclear reactors use a process called nuclear fission to split atoms like uranium or plutonium, releasing a significant amount of heat energy that can be used to generate electricity.