lõhustumise

Lõhustumine is an Estonian term that translates to "fission" or "cleavage" in English. It most commonly refers to nuclear fission, the process where the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy. This phenomenon is fundamental to nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons.

In the context of nuclear physics, lõhustumine is typically induced by bombarding a heavy, unstable atomic nucleus, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, with a neutron. The neutron is absorbed by the nucleus, making it even more unstable. This instability causes the nucleus to split, producing lighter elements, free neutrons, and gamma rays, along with the release of kinetic energy. The newly released neutrons can then go on to initiate further fission events, creating a chain reaction.

The energy released during lõhustumine is a consequence of the difference in binding energy between the heavy nucleus and the resulting lighter nuclei. A small amount of mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc².

Beyond nuclear physics, the term lõhustumine can also be used in a more general sense to describe the splitting or breaking apart of any entity. For example, it might be used to describe the cleavage of a crystal or the fragmentation of a larger concept. However, its primary and most scientifically significant application is in the realm of nuclear reactions.