Question

When the nucleus of a radioactive element, such as uranium is hit by a slow moving neutron, such that it splits into two almost equal nuclei with the release of more neutrons and energy, then the process is called:

Options

• nuclear fusion

• nuclear fission

• chemical reaction

• none of these

Answer 1

Nuclear fission

Explanation:

When a heavy nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei by a slow neutron, with the release of neutrons and energy, the process is called nuclear fission. Fusion is the joining of light nuclei, not the splitting of a heavy nucleus.