NUCLEAR

FISSION

NUCLEAR FISSION
A reaction in which an atomic
nucleus of a radioactive element splits
by bombardment from an external
source, with simultaneous release of
large amounts of energy, used for
electric power generation.

THE FISSION PROCESS

Fission fragment
- is formed when the excited
compound nucleus formed after
absorption of a neutron breaks up
into two lighter nuclei.
Fission product
- a nuclide produced either
directly by nuclear fission or by the
radioactive decay of such a nuclide.

THE FISSION PROCESS

Fissionable Nuclides Vs. Fissile Nuclides
"Fissile" is distinguished from
"fissionable". "Fissionable" are any materials
that can undergo nuclear fission. "Fissile"
nuclei are distinguished by their ability to
sustain a chain reaction with low energy
neutrons. For example, plutonium-239 is
fissile but plutonium-240 can only sustain
fast neutron chain reactions and is therefore
fissionable. "Fissile" thus, is more restrictive
than "fissionable" although all fissile
materials are fissionable, not all fissionable
materials are fissile.

THE FISSION PROCESS

Binding Energy and Fission.mp4

Importance of Fission from the

Standpoint of the Utilization of
Nuclear Energy
First, the process is associated with
the release of a large amount of
energy per unit mass of nuclear fuel.
Second, the fission reaction which is
initiated by neutrons, is accompanied
by the liberation of neutrons.

FISSION ENERGY
The amount of energy released when
a nucleus undergoes fission can be
calculated by determining the net
decrease in mass, from the known
isotopic masses, and utilizing the
Einstein mass-energy relationship.

FISSION ENERGY
The energy released will be
equivalent to the difference in
binding energy (BE) between the
reactants and the products.

FISSION ENERGY

FISSION ENERGY

FISSION ENERGY

FISSION ENERGY

FISSION ENERGY
The major proportion over 80 per
cent of the energy of fission appears
as kinetic energy of the fission
fragments, and this immediately
manifests itself as heat. Part of the
remaining 20 per cent or so is liberated
in the form of instantaneous gamma
rays from excited fission fragments and
as kinetic energy of the fission
neutrons

CRITICAL MASS
The minimum amount of a given
fissile material necessary to achieve a
self-sustaining fissionchain
reactionunder stated conditions. Its
size depends on several factors,
including the kind of fissile material
used, its concentration and purity, and
the composition and geometry of the
surrounding reaction system.

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