If the nucleus of a heavy atom–such as Uranium–absorbs a neutron, the nucleus can become unstable and split. This is called nuclear fission. Although fission can occur naturally, fission as encountered in the modern world is usually a deliberate man-made nuclear reaction.

Nuclear fission

Fission is the splitting of a heavy, unstable nucleus into two lighter nuclei, and fusion is the process where two light nuclei combine together releasing vast amounts of energy.

Nuclear fission

nuclear fission

“Splitting an atom “ releases energy when the original nucleus of the atom has more mass than the toatal mass of smaller nucleii into which the original atom splits. The difference of mass is converted into energy and released in the form of photons, neutrinos etc.

Quarks are fundamental particles and cannot be split.

The fission process becomes self-sustaining as neutrons produced by the splitting of atom strike nearby nuclei and produce more fission. This is known as a chain reaction and is what causes an atomic explosion. This causes a nuclear chain reaction.

When an atom is split, three types of radiation that can damage living tissues are released. Alpha particles are made up of protons and neutrons and cannot penetrate human skin, but do damage if released inside a body. All types of radiation damage living tissues through a process called ionization.

Atoms cannot be created or destroyed. Atoms of different elements may combine with each other in a fixed, simple, whole number ratios to form compound atoms.

What happens when you split an atom? The energy released in splitting just one atom is miniscule. However, when the nucleus is split under the right conditions, some stray neutrons are also released and these can then go on to split more atoms, releasing more energy and more neutrons, causing a chain reaction.

No, matter is not created or destroyed. However atoms can change the composition of their sub atomic particles. If a atom of uranium 235 is ‘split’ it will lose neutrons from the molecule, but they aren’t destroyed. This change causes a realease of energy, and initiates a chain reaction.

A knife cannot cut anything smaller than the blade of a knife. Since knives are made out of atoms, they can’t cut atoms. The splitting of atoms in atomic bombs happens as a result of a different process. However, even these atoms can’t be cut with a knife, because the atoms are smaller than the knife is.

: a light isotope of uranium of mass number 235 that constitutes less than one percent of natural uranium, that when bombarded with slow neutrons undergoes rapid fission into smaller atoms with the release of neutrons and energy, and that is used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.

This radioactive isotope takes 703,800,000 years to decay and reduce to half of its initial amount.

There is no health hazard from touching any solid form of uranium. It doesn’t matter if it is bomb grade, natural, or depleted. Just wash your hands afterward so that any traces of it don’t accidentally get inside you. If the uranium is in liquid form it might penetrate the skin, so I would wear suitable gloves.

Indian authorities yesterday arrested a man discovered in possession of close to 1 kilogram of uranium worth approximately $7 million, the Times of India reported (see GSN, June 3).

Uranium-235 (U-235) is one of the isotopes that fissions easily. During fission, U-235 atoms absorb loose neutrons. This causes U-235 to become unstable and split into two light atoms called fission products.

You might not be surprised to learn that eating large doses of a radioactive substance leads to an increased chance of developing a cancer. Fortunately, while there’s plenty of reason to believe uranium is lethal in high doses, there are no known human deaths from “oral exposure” to uranium [source: Keith et al.].

The reason why Uranium 238 is not fissile is because upon absorption of a thermal neutron, the binding energy released by U-238 is not greater as compared to the critical energy required to carry out the fission.

Because it emits alpha particles, plutonium is most dangerous when inhaled. When plutonium particles are inhaled, they lodge in the lung tissue. The alpha particles can kill lung cells, which causes scarring of the lungs, leading to further lung disease and cancer.