A process in which a large nucleus splits into two or more parts is called
The process you are referring to is called nuclear fission. Nuclear fission involves the splitting of a large nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of a significant amount of energy. This can occur spontaneously or can be induced by bombarding the nucleus with a neutron.
To understand this process, we need to look at the structure of an atom. An atom consists of a central nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. The protons carry a positive charge, while the neutrons have no electrical charge.
In certain types of atoms, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, the nucleus is relatively unstable. When a free neutron collides with the nucleus of such an atom, it can be absorbed, causing the nucleus to become highly excited. This excited nucleus is called a compound nucleus.
The compound nucleus is in an excited state and rapidly undergoes rearrangement, leading to the splitting of the nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei. At the same time, several free neutrons are released. These free neutrons can then go on to collide with other atomic nuclei, triggering a chain reaction.
The release of energy during nuclear fission is due to the conversion of mass into energy, as described by Einstein's famous equation, E=mc². The mass lost during the fission process is converted into a large amount of energy, which can be harnessed for various applications, such as generating electricity in nuclear power plants or as destructive energy in nuclear weapons.
Overall, nuclear fission plays a significant role in both peaceful and destructive applications, making it an important process to understand.