Nuclear Fission

The history of nuclear fission begins in the early 20th century with the discovery of radioactivity and the development of nuclear physics. In 1938, German chemists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discovered that when uranium nuclei were bombarded with neutrons, they split into two smaller nuclei. This process was initially called “uranium splitting,” but it was soon renamed “nuclear fission” by physicists Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch.

The discovery of nuclear fission had a profound impact on the world. It led to the development of the atomic bomb, which was used in World War II to devastating effect. After the war, nuclear fission was also used to develop nuclear power plants, providing a clean and abundant energy source.

Nuclear fission is a complex process that still isn’t fully understood. However, the basic principles are well-known. When a uranium nucleus is bombarded with a neutron, it can absorb the neutron and become atomically unstable. The unstable nucleus then splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of atomic energy and often several more neutrons. This process is called a chain reaction, for the neutrons released from one fission event can cause other uranium nuclei to fission, and so on.

The chain reaction can be controlled or uncontrolled. In a nuclear reactor, the chain reaction is controlled to produce a steady stream of energy. In an atomic bomb, the chain reaction is rampant, quickly releasing massive energy. Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer harnessed the power of nuclear fission to create one of the most deadly, if not the most lethal, weapons known to man in August of 1945—the atomic bomb.

Nuclear fission has many other uses other than bombs. More than 10% of the world’s power comes from nuclear reactors. In conclusion, the history of nuclear fission is fascinating, and the concepts of it need to be understood fully, for we live in an age of atomic warfare.