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==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===[[File:NuclearFission2.png|right|300px|thumb|An [[model]] of '''nuclear fission'''.]]
'''Nuclear fission''' is a process in which a large [[Unstable Isotope|unstable]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] splits into two more [[Stable Isotope|stable]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]].
: '''Nuclear fission''' can be induced in a [[material]] by bombarding [[massive]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]] with [[neutron]]s. If a [[neutron]] is captured by the [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] it becomes so unstable that it splits in two.
: The [[neutron]]s used to induce '''fission''' must have a low [[energy]] to be captured by a [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] otherwise the [[neutron]]s will just pass straight through without being captured. [[Neutron]]s with the right amount of [[energy]] to be captured are called [[Thermal Neutron|thermal neutron]]s because they have a similar [[energy]] to [[molecule]]s in the [[air]] at [[Room Temperature|room temperature]].
{| class="wikitable"
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|[[File:InducedFission.png|center|600px]]
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| style="height:20px; width:600px; text-align:left;" |A [[model]] showing a possible mechanism for induced '''nuclear fission'''.
|}