Fission: meaning, definitions and examples

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fission

 

[ ˈfɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

nuclear energy

Fission is the process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into two lighter nuclei, along with the release of a significant amount of energy. This release of energy can be harnessed for power generation or is a fundamental reaction in nuclear weapons. It is the opposite of fusion, where light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.

Synonyms

division, scission, splitting

Examples of usage

  • Nuclear reactors utilize controlled fission to produce electricity.
  • The fission of uranium-235 is the key reaction in atomic bombs.
  • Scientists study fission to improve energy efficiency.
  • Fission releases energy that can cause chain reactions.

Translations

Translations of the word "fission" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fissão

🇮🇳 विभाजन

🇩🇪 Spaltung

🇮🇩 fusi

🇺🇦 поділ

🇵🇱 fuzja

🇯🇵 核分裂

🇫🇷 fission

🇪🇸 fisión

🇹🇷 fisyon

🇰🇷 핵분열

🇸🇦 انشطار

🇨🇿 štěpení

🇸🇰 štiepenie

🇨🇳 裂变

🇸🇮 fuzija

🇮🇸 kjarni

🇰🇿 бөліну

🇬🇪 ბოჭკო

🇦🇿 fissiya

🇲🇽 fisión

Etymology

The term 'fission' originates from the Latin word 'fissio', meaning 'a cleaving or splitting'. The word gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the context of nuclear physics. The first significant observations of fission occurred in 1938 when German scientists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discovered that bombarding uranium with neutrons could lead to the splitting of the nucleus, which was later explained theoretically by Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch. This breakthrough not only opened the door for the development of nuclear power as an energy source but also played a crucial role in the creation of nuclear weapons during World War II. Thus, fission remains a pivotal concept in both energy science and global political dynamics, reflecting its profound implications for society.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,466 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.