GCSE Physics (AQA)

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Energy from Nuclear Fission

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Atomic structure Nuclear fission and fusion

Energy from Nuclear Fission

2:04 Nuclear Energy
Spec 4.4.4.1
Previous Nuclear Fission Next Chain Reaction
  • Nuclear fission releases a large amount of nuclear energy stored in a nucleus.
  • Nuclear energy is stored in bonds holding the nucleus together.
  • During fission, a large nucleus with high nuclear energy breaks into two smaller nuclei.
  • Energy stored in the nucleus is released as the nucleus changes.
  • Smaller nuclei produced in fission carry large amounts of kinetic energy.
  • Nuclei gain speed due to electrostatic repulsion between positive protons.
  • Kinetic energy is transferred to thermal energy as nuclei collide with other atoms.
  • Thermal energy is the total potential and internal energy of an atom, causing increased movement or change of state.
  • Within a system, nuclei can easily collide with other atoms, losing kinetic energy.
  • Work is done against electrostatic repulsion in collisions, transferring energy to the atom.
  • Energy is released during fission, and gamma rays are emitted, carrying away some energy.
  • Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves emitted from a nucleus with excess energy.
  • Gamma rays during fission result from the mass difference between the nucleus and the products.

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