Which term refers to the splitting of a nucleus into smaller parts, releasing energy?

Which term refers to the splitting of a nucleus into smaller parts, releasing energy?

• A. Fusion
• B. Fission
• C. Radioactive decay
• D. Transmutation

Answer: (B)

Splitting a nucleus into smaller parts with energy release is nuclear fission. In fission, a heavy nucleus becomes lighter nuclei and sometimes free neutrons, and the total mass of the products is less than the original mass. That missing mass is converted into energy, per E = mc^2. The reason energy comes out is that heavy nuclei have relatively low binding energy per nucleon; when they break into medium-mass nuclei, the products have a higher overall binding energy, so the system releases energy as the nuclei become more tightly bound. This process is different from fusion, which combines light nuclei to form heavier ones and releases energy in that context. Radioactive decay involves a nucleus spontaneously transforming and emitting radiation, not necessarily splitting into two large parts. Transmutation means one element changes into another via nuclear reactions, which can include fission but isn’t defined by the splitting itself.

Splitting a nucleus into smaller parts with energy release is nuclear fission. In fission, a heavy nucleus becomes lighter nuclei and sometimes free neutrons, and the total mass of the products is less than the original mass. That missing mass is converted into energy, per E = mc^2. The reason energy comes out is that heavy nuclei have relatively low binding energy per nucleon; when they break into medium-mass nuclei, the products have a higher overall binding energy, so the system releases energy as the nuclei become more tightly bound.

This process is different from fusion, which combines light nuclei to form heavier ones and releases energy in that context. Radioactive decay involves a nucleus spontaneously transforming and emitting radiation, not necessarily splitting into two large parts. Transmutation means one element changes into another via nuclear reactions, which can include fission but isn’t defined by the splitting itself.