Final answer:
Nuclear fission is the process of splitting heavy atomic nuclei into smaller ones, releasing energy due to the mass difference. It can produce a chain reaction that is critical for nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nuclear fission is the process of creating energy by splitting heavy atomic nuclei into smaller, medium-mass nuclei. This occurs when a neutron collides with a nucleus causing it to split into two isotopes. The mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants, and the difference in mass is released as a tremendous amount of energy. A notable characteristic of fission is the release of additional neutrons, which can induce further fissions, leading to a chain reaction. This principle is harnessed in both nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. To sustain a chain reaction, a certain amount, known as the critical mass, is required. The reaction can be represented as: n+AX → FF₁ + FF2 + xn, where FF₁ and FF₂ are the fission fragments, and x is the number of neutrons produced.