Fission is the process by which an atom splits into two, generating two smaller atoms and a tremendous amount of energy. Fission powers nuclear bombs and power plants.

The easiest reaction to initiate in the laboratory is the fusion of isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium. Per unit mass, the reaction produces 4 times more energy than the fission of U235.

Physicists have solved a long-standing puzzle about mercury’s nuclear fission by using a five-dimensional model that ...

A single random neutron was enough to start the chain reaction process once the physicists assembled CP-1. The first neutron would induce fission on a uranium nucleus, emitting a set of new neutrons.

Dusty-plasma fission-fragment nuclear rocket that can provide both thrust and electricity for a mission to Mars, substantially improving over the 40+ year old NERVA. It is able to achieve higher power ...

There are also concepts for future hybrid reactors that have the added benefit of consuming high-energy neutrons from fusion reactions to sustain fission reactions — neutrons that would ...

In the process of nuclear fission, an unstable nucleus splits into two smaller atoms in a reaction that releases energy. A nuclear chain reaction occurs when one reaction causes additional reactions.

What is nuclear fission? Nuclear fission is a reaction where the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, while releasing energy. For instance, when hit by a neutron, the nucleus of ...