In Nuclear Fission, a Large Nucleus Is Split into Smaller Nuclei

In Nuclear Fission, a Large Nucleus Is Split into Smaller Nuclei 

Although many heavy nuclei can be made to undergo fission, only the fission of naturally occurring uranium-235 and of the artificial isotope plutonium-239 have any practical importance. 

This is an extremely exothermic reaction, considering that the heat of combustion of 

Fignre 17.10 shows two types of fission reactions. For a chain reaction to occur, enough uranium-235 must be present in the sample to capture the neutrons. Otherwise, 

Nuclear Binding Enei ies of and Two Typical Fission Products Nuclear Binding Energy 

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