How does nuclear fission work, and what are its applications?

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting the nucleus of an atom into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of a massive amount of energy. This process can be triggered by bombarding a heavy element like uranium-235 with a neutron, causing it to become unstable and split into lighter elements such as barium and krypton, releasing additional neutrons and energy in the process.

One of the primary applications of nuclear fission is in power generation through nuclear reactors. Nuclear power plants harness the energy produced by nuclear fission to generate electricity on a large scale. These plants provide a significant and reliable source of energy production that can help meet the increasing global demand for electricity.

Aside from power generation, nuclear fission has applications in various fields such as medicine and research. In medicine, radioisotopes produced through nuclear fission are used in diagnostic imaging, cancer treatment, and sterilization processes. In research, nuclear fission is utilized in studying the structure of atoms, producing new materials, and understanding fundamental nuclear physics.