Fission and Fusion

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Nucleon Noun

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[noo-klee-on]

Back

Nucleon

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A particle that makes up an atomic nucleus, which can be either a proton or a neutron.

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Example: This diagram shows that nucleons are the particles inside an atom's nucleus. It identifies both protons and neutrons as types of nucleons.

Front

Strong Nuclear Force Noun

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[strong noo-klee-er fors]

Back

Strong Nuclear Force

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The fundamental attractive force that binds protons and neutrons together within the atomic nucleus, overcoming their electrostatic repulsion.

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Example: This diagram shows the strong nuclear force (inward arrows) holding protons and neutrons together, overcoming the electrostatic repulsion (outward arrows) between positively charged protons.

Front

Mass Defect Noun

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[mass dee-fekt]

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Mass Defect

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The difference between an atom's actual mass and the combined mass of its individual protons, neutrons, and electrons.

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Example: This diagram uses a balance scale to show that a complete atom's nucleus has less mass than the total mass of its individual, separated protons and neutrons.

Front

Nuclear Binding Energy Noun

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[noo-klee-er byn-ding en-er-jee]

Back

Nuclear Binding Energy

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The minimum energy needed to break an atomic nucleus apart into its individual protons and neutrons.

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Example: This diagram shows that a complete nucleus has a smaller mass than its individual protons and neutrons (nucleons) when they are separated, illustrating mass defect.

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Nuclear Fission Noun

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[noo-klee-er fish-un]

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Nuclear Fission

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A nuclear reaction where an atomic nucleus splits into smaller parts, releasing a significant amount of energy.

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Example: A neutron hits a large, unstable nucleus (Uranium), causing it to split into two smaller nuclei, release a large amount of energy, and emit more neutrons.

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Fissile Adjective

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[fis-ahyl]

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Fissile

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Describing a material that is capable of sustaining a nuclear fission chain reaction upon capturing a neutron.

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Example: A neutron hits a large fissile nucleus, causing it to split into smaller parts, release energy, and create more neutrons that continue the reaction.

Front

Chain Reaction Noun

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[cheyn ree-ak-shun]

Back

Chain Reaction

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A self-sustaining sequence where neutrons released from one nuclear fission event trigger subsequent fission events in other nuclei.

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Example: This diagram shows a nuclear chain reaction where a particle hits a uranium-235 atom, causing it to split and release more particles that trigger further splits.

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Nuclear Fusion Noun

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[noo-klee-er fyoo-zhun]

Back

Nuclear Fusion

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A nuclear reaction where two or more light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

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Example: Two light atomic nuclei, Deuterium and Tritium, combine to form a heavier nucleus, Helium, releasing a neutron and a large amount of energy.

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Transmutation Noun

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[trans-myoo-tey-shun]

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Transmutation

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The process of changing one chemical element or isotope into another, either naturally or through artificial means.

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Example: A fast-moving alpha particle overcomes repulsion to combine with an atomic nucleus, changing it into a new, larger element, which is called transmutation.

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Particle Accelerator Noun

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[pahr-ti-kuhl ak-sel-uh-rey-ter]

Back

Particle Accelerator

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A machine using electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged particles to extremely high speeds for research and other applications.

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Example: A particle from a source is accelerated through a series of charged electrodes, gaining speed until it collides with a target.