Which statement about nuclear fission is correct?
Why did the atom go to therapy? Because it had a splitting image problem!
Now, to answer your question, a correct statement about nuclear fission is that it is a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a tremendous amount of energy.
To determine which statement about nuclear fission is correct, we need to understand what nuclear fission is. Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei. Typically, this process is initiated by bombarding the nucleus with a neutron.
Now, let's examine the given statements to identify the correct one:
1. Nuclear fission releases energy: This statement is correct. During nuclear fission, a significant amount of energy is released. This energy is in the form of heat and is the basis of how nuclear power plants generate electricity.
2. Nuclear fission produces helium: This statement is incorrect. Nuclear fission does not produce helium as a direct product. Instead, the products of nuclear fission vary depending on the particular atom being split.
3. Nuclear fission is not a chain reaction: This statement is incorrect. Nuclear fission can indeed create a chain reaction. When a nucleus undergoes fission in the presence of other atoms, the released neutrons can cause neighboring atoms to undergo fission as well, leading to a chain reaction.
Therefore, the correct statement about nuclear fission is: Nuclear fission releases energy.
There are two possible statements about nuclear fission that could be correct:
1. "Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy."
This statement correctly describes the basic process of nuclear fission. It involves the splitting of the nucleus, often with the help of a neutron, resulting in the release of a substantial amount of energy.
2. "Nuclear fission is a naturally occurring phenomenon."
This statement is incorrect. Nuclear fission is not a naturally occurring phenomenon in nature. It is a process that is artificially induced in controlled environments, such as nuclear reactors, or can occur in nature as a result of certain nuclear reactions, such as those that occur in supernovae. However, it does not spontaneously occur in everyday circumstances.