lõhustumisele

Lõhustumisele refers to the process of fission in Estonian. Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, often producing free neutrons and photons (in the form of gamma rays), and releasing a very large amount of energy. This process can be observed in the decay of heavy elements such as uranium and plutonium.

Fission can occur spontaneously in some isotopes or can be induced by neutron bombardment. When a neutron strikes a fissile nucleus, it can be absorbed, causing the nucleus to become unstable and split. The resulting smaller nuclei are called fission fragments. These fragments are typically radioactive and decay further.

The energy released during fission comes from the conversion of mass into energy, as described by Einstein's famous equation E=mc². The neutrons released in the fission process can go on to induce further fission events, leading to a chain reaction. This chain reaction is the principle behind nuclear power reactors and nuclear weapons.

Controlled nuclear fission is harnessed in nuclear reactors to generate electricity. In these reactors, control rods are used to absorb excess neutrons and regulate the rate of the chain reaction, preventing it from becoming uncontrolled. Uncontrolled fission, on the other hand, is the basis for nuclear explosives.