Nuclear Fission Product

Nuclear Fission Product

Nuclear fission products are the atomic fragments left after a large atomic nucleus fissions. Typically, a large nucleus like that of uranium fissions by splitting into two smaller nuclei, along with a few neutrons and release of energy in the form of heat (kinetic energy of the nuclei) and gamma rays. The two smaller nuclei are the "fission products". See Fission products (by element).

Ternary fission, about 0.2% to 0.4% of fissions, also produces a third light nucleus such as helium-4 (90%) or tritium (7%).

The fission products produced by fission are themselves often unstable (radioactive), due to being relatively neutron-rich for their atomic number, and they very soon undergo beta decay, releasing additional energy in the form of beta particles, antineutrinos, and additional gamma rays. Fission events are thus normally (indirect) sources of beta radiation and antineutrinos, even though these particles are not produced directly in the fission event itself.

Read more about Nuclear Fission Product:  Formation and Decay, Radioactivity Over Time, Yield, Production, Decay, Fallout Countermeasures, Health Concerns

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