Fissionable: meaning, definitions and examples

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fissionable

 

[ ˈfɪʃənəbl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

nuclear reactions

Fissionable refers to a substance that is capable of undergoing fission, which is the process of splitting an atomic nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of energy. This property is particularly significant in the context of nuclear reactors and weapons, where fissionable materials such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239 are utilized.

Synonyms

nuclear, splittable

Examples of usage

  • Uranium-235 is a fissionable isotope used in nuclear reactors.
  • The development of fissionable materials has advanced nuclear science.
  • Scientists study fissionable elements for energy production.

Translations

Translations of the word "fissionable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fissionável

🇮🇳 विभाजनयोग्य

🇩🇪 spaltbar

🇮🇩 fisiabel

🇺🇦 дільний

🇵🇱 fisjogenny

🇯🇵 核分裂可能な

🇫🇷 fissile

🇪🇸 fisible

🇹🇷 fisyonel

🇰🇷 분열 가능한

🇸🇦 قابل الانشطار

🇨🇿 štěpitelný

🇸🇰 štepiteľný

🇨🇳 可裂变的

🇸🇮 fisionabilen

🇮🇸 klofnanlegur

🇰🇿 бөлінетін

🇬🇪 გაყოფადი

🇦🇿 bölünən

🇲🇽 fisionable

Etymology

The term 'fissionable' is derived from the word 'fission,' which originates from the Latin term 'fissio,' meaning 'to split.' The concept of fission was first recognized in the 1930s when scientists discovered that certain heavy nuclei, such as uranium, could be induced to split into lighter nuclei when bombarded with neutrons. This discovery paved the way for both nuclear energy and atomic bombs. The adjective 'fissionable' was introduced to describe materials that possess the ability to undergo this splitting process, and it has since become a crucial term in nuclear physics and engineering. The understanding of fissionable materials has evolved over the decades, leading to the development of advanced reactors and nuclear technologies.