Nuclear fission reaction, computer artwork. At left is a neutron (blue) about to collide with an uranium-235 nucleus (grey). Upon collision the neutro

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Nuclear fission reaction, computer artwork. At left is a neutron (blue) about to collide with an uranium-235 nucleus (grey). Upon collision the neutron combines with the nucleus to form uranium- 236. This is a highly unstable element that spontaneously undergoes nuclear fission (splitting), producing a vast amount of energy (seen here as a blue and green explosion), the elements barium-141, krypton-92 and three neutrons. This is the reaction that occurred in the atomic bombs dropped by the Americans on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War Two.

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Size: 4336px × 2025px
Photo credit: © CLAUS LUNAU/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 235, 236, artwork, atom, atomic, barium, bomb, computer, element, elements, energy, explosion, fission, illustration, krypton, neutron, neutrons, nuclear, particle, particles, physical, physics, reacting, reaction, splitting, unstable, uranium, warfare, weapon