Which describes nuclear fission?(1 point) Responses starts when a neutron slams into an atom, causing two atoms to form one, heavier atom starts when a neutron slams into an atom, causing two atoms to form one, heavier atom starts when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom starts when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom starts when two atoms slam together, causing the larger atom to split into two smaller atoms starts when two atoms slam together, causing the larger atom to split into two smaller atoms starts when a neutron slams into an atom, causing the larger atom to split into two smaller atoms
starts when a neutron slams into an atom, causing the larger atom to split into two smaller atoms
Nuclear fission starts when a neutron slams into an atom, causing the larger atom to split into two smaller atoms.
The correct answer is: "starts when a neutron slams into an atom, causing the larger atom to split into two smaller atoms."
To understand why this is the correct answer, we first need to know what nuclear fission is. Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of a large amount of energy.
In the context of nuclear fission, the process starts when a neutron slams into an atom. This collision causes the atom's nucleus to become unstable and split into two smaller nuclei. These smaller nuclei, called fission products, are usually accompanied by the release of two or three more neutrons, which can then go on to strike other atoms and trigger additional fission reactions.
The other answer choices mentioned the formation of a heavier atom or the slamming together of atoms, but they do not accurately describe the process of nuclear fission. Nuclear fission specifically refers to the splitting of an atom's nucleus, resulting in smaller atoms and the release of energy.
To arrive at the correct answer, it's important to understand the concept of nuclear fission and its key components.