Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction that releases energy by splitting large atoms into smaller ones.

• True

• False

Examples of nuclear fuels are...

• Uranium

• Neptunium

• Plutonium

• Mercury

What particles are fired at atoms to make them split?

The new, smaller nuclei are called __________ nuclei.

Approximately _____ neutrons are released with each fission reaction.

The extra neutrons that are released cause further nuclear fission reactions to happen. These then release even more neutrons and the process repeats. This is called a __________ reaction.

Explain why the neutrons released in nuclear fission must be slow-moving in order to cause a chain reaction.

A moderator, such as graphite, is used to...

• stop a nuclear reaction happening

• speed up neutrons

• slow down neutrons

• absorb radiation from the reaction

To slow down a nuclear fission reaction, the control rods are...

• raised

• lowered

Control rods are often made from __________.