# What is nuclear fission and how is usable energy produced from nuclear fission?

May 4, 2018

nuclear fission is the splitting of an unstable atomic nuclei into smaller more stable nuclei. There is a loss of mass that produces immense amounts of energy.

#### Explanation:

Nuclear fission results from the splitting of an atom. When the atom splits into smaller atoms there is a loss of mass which produces energy.

$E = m {c}^{2}$ is the equation produced by Einstein's theory of relativity.

E = energy
m = mass ( loss in the case of fission)
${c}^{2}$ = the speed of light squared. (186,000 miles per second squared. or 34596000000 miles per second

Think about the power of a small bullet fired from a high powered weapon. The velocity of a high powered weapon is multiple powers of ten less than the speed of light squared. The energy produced by the loss of even a small amount of mass, is immense.

Think about the power of the atomic bomb which is based on nuclear fission.

Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atom which releases a huge amount of energy.