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Nuclear fission

The nucleus of an atom of uranium 235 contains 92 protons and 143 neutrons. If we fire another neutron at this nucleus it becomes unstable - a bit like a wobbly jelly and can’t hold itself together. In the end the nucleus splits in half and this is called NUCLEAR FISSION. The word fission just means splitting.



 
 
 
© Keith Gibbs and John Bourne 2013