Nuclear fission | Physics | Khan Academy

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During a nuclear fission reaction, a fissile nucleus absorbs a neutron and splits into two smaller nuclei. One or more free neutrons are also released. If enough fissile nuclei are located close enough together, the neutrons released from one fission can induce further fissions, resulting in a chain reaction. Nuclear weapons utilize fast, uncontrolled chain reactions to produce an explosion. Nuclear reactors utilize slower, controlled chain reactions to generate electricity. The release of energy during fission relates to the difference in total mass of the reactants and products by E=mc^2.

Sections:
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - What is nuclear fission?
03:50 - Fissile and non-fissile nuclei
05:34 - Fission chain reaction
06:23 - Atomic (nuclear) bombs
07:23 - Nuclear reactors

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