GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -Fission occurs when a neutron slams into a larger atom, forcing it to excite and split into two smaller atoms-also known as fission products. Additional neutrons are also released that can initiate a chain reaction. When each atom splits, a tremendous amount of energy is released.

Detailed explanation-2: -During nuclear fission, a neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. More neutrons are also released when a uranium atom splits. These neutrons continue to collide with other uranium atoms, and the process repeats itself over and over again.

Detailed explanation-3: -Fission takes place when a large, somewhatunstable isotope (atoms with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons) is bombarded by high-speed particles, usually neutrons. These neutrons are accelerated and then slammed into the unstable isotope, causing it to fission, or break into smaller particles.

Detailed explanation-4: -Since neutron has no charge, it is not repelled by the positively charged nucleus . Therefore, even a very weak neutron can bombard a nucleus . Therefore, even a very weak neutron can bombard a nucleus and initiate a nuclear reaction. Hence neutron is used for bombarding the nucleus in a nuclear reaction.

Detailed explanation-5: -Most nuclei that are fissionable with slow neutrons contain an odd number of neutrons (e.g., uranium-233, uranium-235, or plutonium-239), whereas most of those requiring fast neutrons (e.g., thorium-232 or uranium-238) have an even number.