Question

The process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two lighter atoms, releasing a large amount of energy, is nuclear____________ .

Answer 1

nuclear fission. I took honors physics

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

A process in which a large nuclei of an atom splits into two small nuclei is known as a nuclear fission.

For example,
`^(238)_(92)U \rightarrow ^(234)_(90)Th + ^(4)_(2)He` is a nuclear fission reaction.

And, when two small nuclei combine together and result in the formation of a large nuclei then it is known as nuclear fusion.

For example,
`^(2)_(1)H + ^(2)_(1)H \rightarrow ^(4)_(2)He` is a nuclear fusion reaction.

Thus, we can conclude that the process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two lighter atoms, releasing a large amount of energy, is nuclear fission.