What is it called when a larger atom splits into two or more smaller atoms?

What is it called when a larger atom splits into two or more smaller atoms?

• A. Fusion
• B. Fission
• C. Transmutation
• D. Decomposition

Answer: (B)

Splitting a larger atom into two or more smaller atoms is nuclear fission. In fission, a heavy nucleus—often after capturing a neutron—becomes unstable and divides into lighter nuclei, usually plus extra neutrons, releasing a large amount of energy. The energy comes from the mass defect: the total mass of the products is slightly less than the original mass, with the difference converted into energy. This is the defining idea behind fission, and it’s what powers many nuclear reactors and bombs because the released neutrons can trigger further fission in nearby nuclei, creating a chain reaction. This differs from fusion, which is the pairing of light nuclei to form heavier ones and also releases energy; transmutation, while it can involve changing one element into another via nuclear reactions, does not specifically describe the act of splitting a nucleus; and decomposition is a chemistry term for breaking a compound into simpler substances, not a nuclear process.

Splitting a larger atom into two or more smaller atoms is nuclear fission. In fission, a heavy nucleus—often after capturing a neutron—becomes unstable and divides into lighter nuclei, usually plus extra neutrons, releasing a large amount of energy. The energy comes from the mass defect: the total mass of the products is slightly less than the original mass, with the difference converted into energy. This is the defining idea behind fission, and it’s what powers many nuclear reactors and bombs because the released neutrons can trigger further fission in nearby nuclei, creating a chain reaction.

This differs from fusion, which is the pairing of light nuclei to form heavier ones and also releases energy; transmutation, while it can involve changing one element into another via nuclear reactions, does not specifically describe the act of splitting a nucleus; and decomposition is a chemistry term for breaking a compound into simpler substances, not a nuclear process.