The catalyst typically occurs in the form of a free neutron, projected directly at the nucleus of a high-mass atom. As a result, a physical catalyst is necessary to produce useful energy through nuclear fission. And although it is true that huge amounts of energy can be released, considerable effort is needed to do so in practice.Īn unstable atom will naturally decay, but it may take millions of years to do so.
Given that it requires great energy separate two nucleons, it may come as a surprise to learn that splitting a nucleus can release vast potential energy. In simplest terms, nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic bond. Through two distinct methods, humankind has discovered multiple ways of manipulating the atom to release its internal energy. Knowing that energy can be emitted in various forms of nuclear change, is it possible to create a nuclear reaction through our own intervention? The answer to this question is yes. This section delves into a less-natural process. Without human intervention, some nuclei will change composition in order to achieve a stable equilibrium.
The previous section dealt with naturally occurring nuclear decay.
