Begin

© 2014 Visionlearning, Inc. 

Uranium-235 can undergo fission, splitting into two smaller atoms, under certain circumstances.

Upon absorbing an extra neutron, U235 splits into two daughter atoms, releasing 2-3 neutrons in the process and a large amount of energy. There are many different daughter products that the fission of U235 can form. In most cases, those daughter products are radioactive and continue to decay over time.

Nuclear Fission

235

U

92

To initiate the fission of U235, a neutron is accelerated toward a uranium atom.

Accelerate Neutron

Upon absorbing an extra neutron, U235 splits into two daughter atoms, releasing 2-3 neutrons in the process and a large amount of energy. There are many different daughter products that the fission of U235 can form. In most cases, those daughter products are radioactive and continue to decay over time releasing  additional particles and decay products.

Sr

Accelerate Neutron

Start Over

90

38

Xe

143

Neutrons

236

54