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1. When a neutron strikes the nucleus of an atom, it is usually absorbed by the nucleus in question. But large atoms, however, have been observed to behave differently.
2. Uranium's nucleus is a very "fissionable" material (fissile). Its nucleus breaks when a neutron strikes it.
3. When a free neutron strikes the uranium nucleus, the process of "nuclear fission" begins. The uranium atom then has a nucleus plus a neutron.
4. The uranium atom begins to break into two or more smaller parts and also gives off two or three free neutrons.
5. The smaller particles are called "FP" (fission products) and are the remains of uranium fuel.
6. The newly-free neutrons are then able to strike other uranium nuclei, starting new fission processes. It is a chain reaction. This characteristic of nuclear fission is very important because today's nuclear reactors are able to absorb the desired number of these free neutrons, and thus control the reaction and also the energy generated by the fission process. This is the biggest difference between the "fusion" process because it is impossible to drive today's civil programmes with it.
7. When the uranium nucleus breaks, the process produces an extraordinary amount of heat. That heat is converted into electrical energy with the help of the nuclear power-generation facilities by several methods.
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